JROTC
NEWSLETTER
ANNUAL AWARDS SHOW BRINGS MEMORIES AND SURPRISES JROTC conducted its 11th annual awards show on May 26th in the school auditorium attended by approximately 150 cadets, presenters, and guests. The show ran a little long; however, everyone seemed to have a good time and are pleased with the award selections. Principal Gelb was in attendance and the guest speaker for the evening was Colonel Joseph Codispoti, the 61st Air Base Group Commander at Los Angeles Air Force Base. The show got off to a great start as the Sabre, Rifle, and Color Guard Teams, presented a tribute to our service men and women accompanied by a stunning slide show courtesy of C/2Lt Carlos Zamora. Immediately following the tribute, the color guard presented the colors for the National Anthem followed by Major Stiegleiter’s opening remarks. Later the Rifle Team gave a fabulous performance with a solo by a blindfolded Carlos Zamora.
San Pedro High School Air Force JROTC 1001 West Fifteenth St San Pedro, CA 90731 (310) 221-0691 (office) (310) 547-2491 (fax)
[email protected] Volume III, Issue V June 2006 Special points of interest:
After the rifle team performed, Colonel Codispoti spoke for 20 minutes about the Air Force Core Values and how important integrity is to our everyday values.
Awards Show is long, caps great year
Everyone injoyed the 13-minute slide show of the year’s activities immediately following Colonel Codispoti’s remarks. A new twist was included in this year’s slide show as bloopers and funnies added a little more comic relief to the show.
Armed Forces Day Parade Highlights
A complete listing of all award winners is located on page 3.
4th Consecutive DUA
New cadet staff takes charge Cadets win awards Seniors say goodbye
Inside this issue:
JROTC WINS 4TH DISTINGUISHED UNIT AWARD
Armed Forces Day Parade
2
USC Show JROTC Documentary
2
For the fourth consecutive year, San Pedro High School Air Force JROTC was selected for the Distinguished Unit Award. The Distinguished Unit Award (DUA) recognizes the top 10% of all Air Force JROTC programs among the nearly 900 schools worldwide with JROTC programs. JROTC programs are selected for the DUA based on three criteria: academics, community service, and school activities. Two goals are set in each criteria to be accomplished for
Swingle Assumes Command of Corps
2
Annual Award Winner Listing
3
Cadets of the Month Winners
3
Senior Profiles
4
the year. Each April, those schools who submitted goals are evaluated on their achievement of those goals, and the top 10% are selected for the DUA. The announcement was made by Principal Gelb during the Awards Show and a 4th streamer was placed on the unit’s flag. Winning the DUA even once is a great honor, but winning four consecutive years speaks highly of the caliber of cadets at SPHS.
Page 2
JROTC
Newsletter
CADETS MARCH IN ARMED FORCES DAY PARADE Forty one SPHS JROTC cadets marched in the Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade on May 20th. This is one of the largest number of cadets to march in the parade in their 11-year history. It also marks the final public appearance for many cadets who will not be returning next year, including seniors David Mitchell, Robert Workman, and Christopher Fletcher. The Armed Forces Day Parade is a favorite activity for many cadets because it is the only parade exclusive for military participants as well as all the military hardware on display. Parade participants and observers were treated to several fly-overs by vintage and modern aircraft including WW II fighters and the modern C-17 Globemaster cargo plane. Army Golden Knights opened the parade by parachuting onto Torrance Boulevard followed by streaks of red smoke. Observers lined both sides of the parade route and were very supportive of all the parade participants. At the conclusion of the parade, all of the cadets were treated to refreshments and an opportunity to mingle with other cadets.
CADETS ATTEND DOCUMENTARY SHOWING AT USC On May 6th, cadets and guests traveled to USC to attend a screening of a documentary on SPHS cadets that was filmed during the past year. The documentary entitled “All You Can Be” highlights several cadets during the past year. The documentary was part of a USC graduate film school project students Heather Dermott and Rebecca Flores filmed with the cooperation of San Pedro High School and Air Force JROTC. Several cadets highlighted in the documentary were Carlos Zamora, Sarah Swingle and her mother, David
Mitchell, Jesus Balderrama, Vanessa Williams, Christina Ramirez, and former cadets Oscar Diaz and Vincent Gallegos. Dermott and Flores spent over a year getting the documentary into a cable-ready 26-minute product they hope will be picked up by news or public education programs. Two other documentaries were shown that night including a Korean family who’s business was destroyed during the 1991 Los Angeles riots and a third that projects what will happen when food supplies can no longer be grown on the planet.
CADET SARAH SWINGLE SELECTED 2006-2007 COMMANDER Cadet Sarah Swingle was selected to be the Cadet group Commander for next year. Swingle previously served as the Deputy Commander during this current school year. Her selection was announced during the Annual Awards show on May 26th. Swingle will be a 4th-year cadet next year and 3rd at San Pedro High School. Her 1st year was spent in Omaha, Nebraska where her mother, Chief Master Sergeant Vicki Swingle was stationed. Swingle’s selection marks the second time in three years a female has been selected to be the group commander. The cadet corps is approximately two-thirds male, so the recent string of female commanders is significant in
showing that females can accomplish as much, or more, than their male counterparts. No Deputy Commander was selected for next year; however, Cadet Tony Scerra was selected for the Senior Enlisted Advisor position and will make a perfect compliment to Swingle. In additon to being selected commander, Swingle was promoted to cadet major. There are many challenges that need to be overcome next year. Cadet enrollment needs to be increased, Aerospace and Leadership curriculum needs to be more emphasized, and 3rd and 4th year retention needs to be improved. Winning a 5th consecutive DUA will be a big challenge.
1001 West Fifteenth St
Page 3
ANNUAL AWARD SHOW WINNERS The Annual Awards Show May 26th capped a fabulous year by the cadets of San Pedro High School Air Force JROTC. Nearly $1,500.00 in scholarships and awards were presented to the top performing cadets. Scholarships were presented to cadets Sarah Swingle ($350 from MOAA), David Mitchell ($300 from AFA-Schriever Chapter)) and Robert Workman ($50 from AFA Doolittle Chapter). The coveted Commandant’s Award went to David Mitchell. Robert Workman won the 4th Year Cadet of the Year Award and Sarah Swingle won the 3rd Year Award. Second Year Cadet of the Year honors went to Christopher Prince and 1st Year cadet Brian Parra received the 1st Year Cadet Award. Outstanding Flight Ribbons went to Charlie and Foxtrot flights. Chief Wood presented the following awards: Mentorship Award: Perseverance Award Dress & Appearance: Service Award: Color Guard Award: Rifle Team Award: Drill Master Award:
Robert Workman Samuel Cracchiolo C. Prince & J. Vecera J. Aragon & J. Delgado C. Amposta & M. Resendez C. Zamora & R. Medrano S. Fosados & S. Webster
National Awards were presented to the following cadets: Air Force Association: Daedalian: American Legion Scholastic: American Legion Military: Daughters of the American Rev: American Veterans Award: Reserve Officers’ Association: Military Order of World Wars: Military Officers Association: Veterans of Foreign Wars: National Sojourners: Sons of the American Revolution: Scottish Rite: Military Order of the Purple Heart: Air Force Sergeants Association: Noncommissioned Officers: The Tuskegee Airmen:
Sarah Swingle Carlos Zamora Robert Workman David Mitchell David Mitchell Jorge Aragon David Mitchell Christopher Prince Sarah Swingle Stephanie Fosados Christine Amposta Anthony Scerra Sarah Swingle Robert Workman Christopher Fletcher Samuel Cracchiolo Jacob Delgado & Brian Parra
Local interest awards were presented to the following: Special Appreciation Award:
Parent Booster Award:
Captain John Dunlap Captain Shana Figueroa Captain Matt Arvanitas Mrs. Pam Mitchell Mrs. Sylvia Delgado
CADETS OF THE MONTH UPPER CLASS September October November December January February March April May June
FIRST YEAR
Michael Resendez Amber Martinez Jorge Aragon Jonathan Hernandez Phillip Davis William Rubner Brenda Vasquez Samuel Cracchiolo Christopher Prince Christian Fletcher
September October November December January February March April May June
Brian Parra Victor Mejia Victor Sulic Jacob Delgado Angel Macias Jonathan Hoel Jacob Delgado Jeramie Vecera Brian Parra William Stahnke
FLIGHT AND FLIGHT SERGEANT OF THE MONTH FLIGHT OF THE MONTH September October November December January
Charlie Foxtrot Charlie Charlie Charlie
February March April May June
FLIGHT SERGEANT OF THE MONTH Foxtrot Foxtrot Charlie Foxtrot Foxtrot
September October November December January
J. Hernandez M. Resendez J. Hernandez C. Zamora C. Prince
February March April May June
B. Vasquez J. Aragon W. Rubner C. Fletcher B. Vasquez
CHRISTOPHER “FLETCH” FLETCHER Christopher Fletcher spent three years in JROTC starting as a 10th grader. Christopher has been very helpful in JROTC, and finished his JROTC career as the Flight Sergeant for Foxtrot. Christopher won the Air Force Sergeant’s Association Award at this year’s awards ceremony, as well as numerous ribbons. He also won the Flight Sergeant of the Month for May 2006 and the Upper Class Cadet of the Month for June 2006. He’s finishing his career in JROTC extremely strong and he will be missed. Fletch recently enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and will depart for basic training in November 2006. After his basic training, he will become a diesel mechanic.
DAVID “MITCH” MITCHELL David Mitchell spent four years in JROTC, including one semester in Houston, Texas. He has held numerous jobs during his four years, including Color Guard commander, Logistics NCO, and cadet group commander. Mitch has won many awards, including the Commandant’s Award and LAUSD Future Leaders Award this year. He also won a $300 scholarship from the Air Force Association, General Bernard Schriever Chapter. Mitch finishes his JROTC career as one of the most accomplished and decorated cadets in Pedro JROTC history. Under his leadership, JROTC won their fourth consecutive Distinguished Unit Award. Mitch is the son of Pamela Mitchell and has one brother Brian and a sister Missy in Texas. Mitch wants to complete his college education at UCLA in criminal justice and pursue police work for his career.
ANDREW “DOOFUS” NUNEZ Andrew Nunez spent four years in JROTC and has held numerous jobs including facilities, flight sergeant, and logistics NCO. Andrew has been selected for numerous awards including Cadet of the Month and Flight Sergeant of the Month. Andrew will complete his classes during summer school and graduate summer 2006. After completing his high school classes he intends to enter Harbor Rock Community College and complete his general studies classes. Andrew is the son of Robert and Lacinda Nunez and has a brother Matt and sister Leann. Andrew says his favorite memory of JROTC was last year during the LMU Beach Lab when all the Pedro cadets got into a food fight and plastered each other with food.
ROBERT “JIGGLY BUTT” WORKMAN Robert Workman has spent his entire high school career in JROTC. He has worked many jobs in JROTC including flight sergeant, personnel NCO, and finished his JROTC career as the Senior Enlisted Advisor. Robert has numerous awards and accolades to his credit including winning the 4th Year Cadet of the Year Award this year. He also won the American Legion Scholastic Award and the Order of the Purple Heart Award. He received a scholarship from the Air Force Association General Bernard Schriever Chapter as well. As the SEA this year, Robert was very instrumental in the corps winning its 4th consecutive DUA. Also, Robert has the distinction of being the only cadet who was enrolled in SPHS JROTC during the entire four years in which SPHS JROTC won the DUA. Robert is the son of William and Teressa Workman and he has one sister Sarah. Robert wants to attend El Camino College and then become an Air Force or commercial pilot.