ROTC honors its best

Ceremony held to honor outstanding Cadet achievement

May 24, 2013

ROTC honors its best

Ceremony held to honor outstanding Cadet achievement

May 24, 2013

The University of Nevada Army Reserve Officer Training Corps held its annual awards ceremony at the Joe Crowley Student Union on May 3 to recognize outstanding achievement by cadets in the program. 

Representatives from local and national organizations were on hand to present scholarships, medals, plaques and certificates to students that had excelled in military and scholastic endeavors. Scholarship awards totaling more than $13,000 were donated from organizations such as the Nevada Military Support Alliance, the Scottish American Military Society, the Association of the United States Army and the American Legion.  The Nevada Military Support Alliance in its second year of supporting the Wolf Pack Battalion awarded a total of $3,000 in scholarships. Some of the scholarships were donated from private citizens honoring their relatives who served in the United States Military such as the Lt. George Wisham Leadership Award, Capt. Terry Cryder-Brannon memorial, and Col. John Etchemendy memorial scholarships. 

Col. Mike Minaudo, chairperson of the Military Science Department, commented that, "I am proud of the cadets and their outstanding accomplishments during this year.  I am also very thankful to all of the organizations that contribute to the program.  They are an extended part of the family and one of the reasons why the ROTC program continues to be a superior organization."

Local state and city officials recognized the cadets, including representatives of Sen. Dean Heller and Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Mark Amodei, who is also a graduate of the ROTC program at the University.  The City of Reno Mayor's office also recognized the outstanding performance of a senior cadet with a plaque.  Other non-scholarship awards were presented from local and national organizations such as the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Military Order of the World Wars, National Daughters/Sons of the American Revolution, National Sojourners and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  

Cadets in the Wolf Pack Battalion, like many collegiate level athletes, spend many extra hours training and preparing for the day when they will become commissioned officers in the United States Army.  Those that are recognized by the organizations and individuals at the awards ceremony are truly the leaders of tomorrow.   Whether it is with a scholarship or a plaque, these cadets have earned the appreciation of the university, the state and the nation.

Awardees list:

  • Distinguished Military Graduates - Christa Harrop and Dashawna Jimerson
  • Superior Cadets - MS IV - Austin Hamilton, MS III - Christopher Wallace, MS II - Sarah Conkey, MS I -  Katherine Bandy
  • George C. Marshall Award - Christa Harrop
  • Nevada Military Support Alliance Scholarship winners:
  • Travis Salley - $750, Jaqueline Talavera - $500, Sarah Conkey - $250
  • Dashawna Jimerson - $750, Anthony LaFleur - $500,  Christofer Imus - $250
  • Nevada Army National Guard Outstanding Graduate Award - Jacob Sanford
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart - Jaqueline Talavera
  • Ranger Challenge Team Commander's Trophy - Jerel Abas
  • Combat Leader's Award - Joseph Stevens
  • City of Reno Outstanding Cadet - Jessica Baldridge
  • Wisham Leadership Award - Christopher Wallace
  • American Legion Scholastic and Military Excellence Awards:
  • Academic - MS IV Austin Hamilton, MS III Anthony LaFleur, MS II Cameron Ripley
  • Military - MS IV Ethan Witt, MS III Brandon Castinado, MS II Andrew Fishman
  • $1000 Scholarship winner - Christopher Wallace
  • Association of the United States Army $500 scholarships - Jacob Ziolkowski and Brandon Castinado
  • Association of the United States Army Military History award - Robert Park
  • Captain Terry Cryder-Brannon Memorial Scholarship - $2000 scholarship - Caitlyn Adley
  • Colonel and Mrs. John M. Etchemendy Scholarships - $500 - Katherine Bandy and Cameron Ripley
  • Military Order of the World Wars - Gold - Mayra Cornejo, Silver - Alexander Rapphahn, Bronze - Thomas Witzman
May 24, 2013

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