Cameron University ROTC cadets honored

Cameron University’s George D. Keathley Department of Military Science presented awards and scholarships to members of the Comanche Battalion, Cameron’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) unit recently.

The Comanche Battalion recognized cadets for meritorious performance in military science, academics, physical fitness, personal achievement and leadership.

Awards are sponsored by the Department of the Army, Cameron University and private individuals through endowed scholarships.

Tyiesha Carroll received the George C. Marshall ROTC Award, which recognizes the top senior in the program. Carroll will attend the annual George C. Marshall Leadership Seminar.

Juan Reyes was the recipient of the Bill and Betty Burgess Memorial Endowed Scholarship, which is presented to a descendant of a noncommissioned officer or currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces as a noncommissioned officer.

The FIRES Chapter of the Association of the United States Army Scholarship is presented to an outstanding cadet in each military science year who has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their military and academic studies. Recipients were Hank Banner, Preston Drain, Samuel Harris and Alexandria Huber.

Lt. Col. Brian Hayes presents cadet Tyiesha Carroll with a certificate commemorating her selection as the receipient of the George C. Marshall Leadership AwardJulian Ebacher, LaMiracle Harris, Colton Miller and Ian Surrency were honored with the Col. Jack Wolfson Memorial Scholarship. The award is presented to a cadet in each military science year who displays academic proficiency, outstanding leadership qualities, and high moral character.

The Artillery Officer Candidate Endowed Scholarship in Leadership, established by the Artillery OCS Alumni organization, was presented to Jeran Rivera.

Heidi Durvin received the Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Randall L. and Carol A. Rigby Endowed Scholarship in Military Science, which is awarded to a full-time CU student who demonstrates an intent to join CU’s Army ROTC program in pursuit of an officer’s commission.

Xavier Davidson received the 2nd Lt. Tobias Alexander Scholarship. It is awarded to a full-time cadet who demonstrates superior leadership potential and maintains a 3.0 GPA or higher.

The B. Charles and LaDonna Spradlin Endowed Scholarship in Business, awarded to business majors, was presented to Izayah Ayarza and Trystian Thompson.

Shinta Brown and Ian Surrency were presented with the E. Virginia Charlson Memorial Endowment Scholarship, which is awarded to cadets who are pursuing a degree in business and have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

The Sgt. York Award is presented to basic course cadets that demonstrated superior leadership qualities in military science courses; this award was presented to Brason Janoe and Ian Surrency.

Mikyla Bachert and Samuel Harris were honored with the Professor of Military Science Physical Fitness Cadet Award. It is presented to the male and female cadets who achieve the highest score on the Record Army Combat Fitness Test.

Members of the Ranger Challenge Team, who embody the spirit of teamwork, competitiveness and sportsmanship, received a certificate of recognition, a ribbon and a uniform sleeve tab. They are Nathaniel Amos, Hank Banner, Shinta Brown, Xavier Davidson, Vandell Downing, Madilyn Downs, Preston Drain, Tila Durham, Martin Gonzales, Colton Miller, Conner Rabuck, Jeran Rivera and Trystian Thompson.

Vandell Downing was honored with the Virginia K. and Robert L. Janda Scholarship, which is presented to a full-time student who demonstrates superior leadership potential and maintains at least a 3.0 GPA.

Earnest Watson received the Cadet of the Semester Award. Cadets receiving this award have demonstrated exceptional achievement in all areas of ROTC.