Somerset JROTC congratulates winners!

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

In June, several Jefferson County Somerset JROTC students received recognition and award for essays submitted to the Voice of Democracy Youth Essay contests. While some of the students received their awards in late June, three students were presented with their June awards last Wednesday, Aug. 25, the delay explained as a result of COVID-19 setbacks.
The awards were presented by VFW's Post 251 Judge Advocate Membership/ Program Chairman, John Nelson, Commander Ben Ransom, Jr., President of Auxiliary 251, Shirley Washington, JROTC Educational Instructor First Sergeant, Terry Walker, and Senior Army Instructor, Captain Kevin White, Sr.
The first award presented was a Youth Essay Award Citation for a Patriot's Pen Essay submission by Tatiana Rivera, who placed third, and received a certificate of achievement and a $25 check.
The second award was a Voice of Democracy Certificate of Merit for A Voice of Democracy Audio Essay submission by Jasmine Rosas Tovar, who placed third and received a certificate of merit and a $25 check.
The third award went to Desmond Everett, who was awarded a Youth Essay Award Citation for first place in the Patriot's Pen essay contest, and won a certificate of achievement and a $100 check. Everett was not present at the ceremony to receive the award, which will be held for him by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Congratulations were given to all of the winners of the essay contests, and encouragement was given to everyone present in the classroom. Washington, who helped present the awards, was very moved when she addressed the students of the JROTC class. “You are my heart. This program was my first project when I came onto the board. We had parents wanting to pull students out of this school because we didn't have a JROTC program. I spoke to a senator in Washington D.C., and explained the necessity for Jefferson County to have a program. Like the saying goes, 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again!'” Washington stated proudly. “There's nothing I wouldn't do to support this program. I love you all!”
Nelson spoke words of encouragement to the students too, saying, “I have been more inspired to give back to this program by Mrs. Washington. I am a Vietnam veteran. We lost 58 thousand men in that war. It was a war that people selflessly gave their lives to, to ensure that America could be a free nation. Young men and women like yourselves are making that same selfless choice, and it will be all of you who take the place of old men like me, and continue to protect our country.”
Commander Ben Ransom, jr. chimed in with words to the students, saying, “You students are doing a good job. Keep doing what you are doing, and you'll be the best there is.”
Closing statements by Captain White and 1st Sergeant Walker compelled the students to focus on their grades, encouraging them to keep their grades up and to continue to do well in their classes.
Walker also added a special welcome to Kevin White, Sr., as the new Senior Army Instructor. White, formerly from Washington State, retired after 23 years in Active Duty in the ARMY, and has spent the last eight years working for Florida State in their Senior ROTC Program. He is excited to be a part of Jefferson's JROTC Program, and said, “We all love what we do, and we look forward to helping young students become better citizens and just succeed overall.”
Jefferson County Somerset JROTC members are in good hands!