Jackson Public Schools Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) conducted its 30th Annual Cadet Pass in Review Ceremony on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Hughes Field. Approximately 1,000 students from the seven high schools within JPS took part in the formal inspection ceremony. This year, middle school students from the newly established Junior Cadet Corps of the Powell Academy of Military Science also participated.
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| 2017 JROTC Cadet Pass & Review Parade |
Interim Superintendent Dr. Freddrick Murray and Col. Chris Gillard, Assistant Public Safety Commissioner and Director of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol conducted the inspection of cadets. Making up the Review Party, along with Dr. Murray and Gillard, was Col. Rodney Harris, Deputy Commander, 66th Troop Command, Mississippi Army National Guard; John Lewis, JROTC Bureau Director, Mississippi Department of Education; and Col. (Ret.) Paul L. Willis, Director, JPS JROTC Army Instruction.
"Be focused and driven not saying you want to make a difference, but by becoming the difference," said Gillard. "Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, and never allow anyone to steal your focus or kill your dreams."
The program opened with a Ceremonial Parade, giving the cadets an opportunity to express pride in their school, pride in the JPS Corps of Cadets, as well as national pride.
The Pass and Review Ceremony was planned and executed by cadets and the recently announced Cadets of the Year performed all the key leadership roles in this ceremony. Top JROTC cadet Kayla Pippins of Callaway, the 2017 JPS Cadet of the Year, served as Brigade Commander, with the support of the cadet command staff:
- C/COL Kayla Pippins, Callaway
- C/LTC RaQuan Young, Wingfield
- C/MAJ N'Waynah Littleton, Jim Hill
- C/MAJ Alexandria Johnson, Povine
- C/LTC Adrianna Cooper, Murrah
- C/LTC Tiffany Bryant, Lanier
- C/LTC Mike Ragsdale, Provine
- C/MAJ Tasha Conerly, Forest Hill
- C/CSM Toni Tario, Callaway
The hour-long ceremony included Honors to the Nation, Introduction of Cadet Battalions, Presentation of Awards, and Inspection of Cadets.
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| 2017 JROTC Brigade Staff |
The Scholastic Excellence Award recipients were:
- C/LTC Tiffany Bryant, Lanier
- C/MAJ Kiara Smith, Murrah
- C/ILT Shamia Thompson, Wingfield
- C/LTC Mikala Sims, Callaway
- C/MAJ Tasha Conerly, Forest Hill
- C/ILT Carmen Younger, Provine
- C/MAJ N'Waynah Littleton, Jim Hill
The Academic Excellence Award was given to Cadet/Pvt. Christopher Washington of Powell Middle school.
The JPS JROTC Program is the largest in the state of Mississippi and among the largest in our region, which consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. The Army JROTC Program in JPS has been developed against a historical background of almost 81 years of experience. The first JROTC Program in Jackson was started at Central High School in l936.
Since then, thousands of students have been exposed to the ideals of leadership, character development and citizenship training provided by JROTC. With current enrollment at nearly 1,950 students, JPS JROTC is striving to continue a legacy of excellence in preparing young people for successful living.
Photo Gallery: 2017 JROTC Pass in Review
More Coverage:
- 2017 JROTC Cadet Review, JPS ITV, April 13, 2017
