Houston ISD’s JROTC program formally honored its top six cadets from the class of 2019 during the annual HISD JROTC Final Review and Awards Ceremony on Saturday.
The students were chosen from the ranks of all seniors in HISD’s 23 JROTC programs and all were promoted to cadet colonel, which is the highest ranking attainable in the JROTC program.
“This is the culmination of several lessons that are taught throughout the school year” said Lt. Col. Cornell McGhee, Director of JROTC Programs in HISD. “I am honored, I am pleased, and I am proud. It is great to see young people leading their peers and doing what’s necessary for them to become the next generation of leaders for this country.”
Cadets received points based upon their scholastic standing, demonstrated leadership skills, and participation in extracurricular activities. At the competition, cadets were awarded points for their proficiency on a JROTC curricular-based skills test, an oral presentation, a personal evaluation consisting of military courtesy, knowledge of current events, appearance in their cadet uniform, knowledge of geography, and an evaluation of first-aid techniques such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, bandaging wounds, and assisting sick and injured casualties.
“Today is a very important day for the JROTC program in HISD,” said Scarborough High School Cadet Colonel Jacqueline Dominguez. “Everyone gets to see what the schools have accomplished, and it is something we have worked hard for and prepared for throughout the year.”
The top six graduating seniors from the class of 2019 are:
HISD JROTC Cadet Corps Commander (Top Graduate)
Cadet Colonel Jacqueline Dominguez, Scarborough High School
Cadet Colonel Jacqueline Dominguez served as the Executive Officer of HISD’s 17th Army JROTC. Cadet Dominguez is ranked 2nd in her class out of 189 graduating seniors while maintaining a 4.25 grade point average. Dominguez has displayed exceptional leadership skills and has distinguished herself by serving as a member of the National Honor Society, Captain of the Legion of Doom Marching Band, and a journey member of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church. Cadet Colonel Dominguez served as commander of the Unarmed Drill Team, member of the Academics Team, Co-commander of the Color Guard Team, Superior Cadet Instructor, and has been the Battalion’s Outstanding Cadet for the past three years. Along with her many achievements in the JROTC Program, Cadet Dominguez is part of the Future’s academy and the EMERGE program. After graduation, Cadet Dominguez plans to attend the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts majoring in Astrophysics and Music Performance.
HISD JROTC 1st Brigade Commander (#2 Graduate)
Cadet Colonel Nicholas S. Kramer, Lamar High School
Cadet Colonel Nicholas Kramer has served as the Cadet Battalion Commander of HISD’s 7th Army JROTC Battalion. Among his many achievements in the JROTC program, Cadet Colonel Kramer has been awarded the Department of the Army-Superior Cadet Medal, the Association of the U.S. Army Award, the National Sojourners Award, the Expert Marksman Award, the Lamar Cadet of the Year Award, the Superior Instructor Award, and numerous academic and achievement ribbons. He has been a finalist in the HISD JROTC Cadet Corps Leadership Selection Board competition for all four years he has participated. Cadet Colonel Kramer is Captain of the Lamar Congressional Debate Squad. He recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduation, plans to attend either the United States Military Academy or United States Naval Academy and major in Economics.
HISD JROTC 2nd Brigade Commander (#3 Graduate)
Cadet Colonel Anahi J. Tercero, Bellaire High School
Cadet Colonel Anahi Tercero is a member of the Foreign Language Magnet Program and historian of the Italian Honor Society, in which she has tutored numerous students. Cadet Colonel Tercero has completed many volunteer hours with organizations such as: the Houston Marathon, the Houston Food Bank, the Italian Culture and Community Center, and Wreaths Across America. She served as Battalion Commander, commander of the Unarmed Drill Team, member of the female physical training team, and member of the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl Academic team. She is a fellow in the HISD EMERGE and Emerging Latino Leaders Programs, member of the LULAC Chapter, and Interact club, and as a youth leader of her church youth group. After graduation, Cadet Colonel Tercero plans to enlist in the US Army and work as a Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator.
HISD JROTC 3rd Brigade Commander (#4 Graduate)
Cadet Colonel Allison Velasquez, High School for Law & Justice
Cadet Colonel Allison Velasquez has served as the Cadet Battalion Commander of the HISD’S 15th Army JROTC Battalion. Among her JROTC accomplishments, Cadet Colonel Velasquez has been awarded the Superior Cadet Award, Student Government Award, Scholastic Excellence Award, National Honor Society Award, and was Awarded the Outstanding Battalion Commander 2018 JROTC Summer Camp Trophy. Among these accomplishments, Cadet Colonel Allison Velasquez has placed in a finalist position for the Outstanding Cadet Leadership Board for 3 consecutive years. Her involvement in her community goes beyond her JROTC program, she’s an active member of her church, and is involved in a series of other campus organizations and extracurricular activities, clubs and programs. Cadet Velasquez will attend Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on a full tuition scholarship, where she plans to major in Political Science.
HISD JROTC 4th Brigade Commander (#5 Graduate)
Cadet Colonel Gloria M. Romero, Sam Houston Math, Science, & Technology Center
Cadet Colonel Gloria Romero has served as the Cadet Battalion Commander of HISD’s 1st Army JROTC Battalion. Among her many achievements in JROTC program, Cadet Colonel Romero has been awarded the Reserve Officers Association of America Medal, the JROTC Citizenship Award, the Daughters of The American Revolution Medal, the Superior Instructor Award, and numerous academic and achievement ribbons. She has been a finalist in the District’s Cadet Corps Leadership Qualification Board competition for the last two years. She served as captain of the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl Team and as a member of Color Guard and “Black Knight” Drill team. Cadet Colonel Romero will attend Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, where she will major in Biochemistry.
HISD JROTC 5th Brigade Commander (#6 Graduate)
Cadet Colonel Arianna Sandoval, Heights High School
Cadet Colonel Arianna Sandoval has served as the Cadet Battalion Commander of HISD’s 2nd Army JROTC Battalion. Among her many achievements in the JROTC program, Cadet Colonel Sandoval has been awarded the Department of the Army-Superior Cadet Medal, the Association of the U.S. Army Award, the 5th Brigade Citizenship Award, the Military Officers Association of America Award, the Heights Cadet of the Year Award, the Superior Instructor Award and numerous academic and achievement ribbons and has been a finalist in the District Cadet Corps Leadership Selection Board competition for all four years she participated. She has been the Captain of both the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl Team and the Commander of the Heights JROTC “Rough Riders” Drill Team, for two years. Cadet Sandoval will attend Texas State University at San Marcos, where she will major in Criminal Justice.