Whether it was color guard or the rifle team, Tara High School walked away with the overall Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) area drill competition award last Saturday, November 13.  Held at Tara High School, the JROTC Color Guard Competition and Rifle Match featured 11 area high schools’ JROTC teams.  In addition, a Scotlandville Magnet High School student won the top cadet honor.

Cadet Capt. Michael T. Thomas (pictured, left) was the winner of the area LET III Cadet of the Year Board Award.  Thomas demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the JROTC curriculum.  According to Lt. Col. Robert Hyver (presenting the award, right), the school district’s director of Army Instruction, Thomas has displayed his leadership skills through a number of achievements throughout his high school career. He currently is the executive officer for the Hornet JROTC Battalion at Scotlandville Magnet High School, the Drill Team commander, Honor Guard commander and a member of the Color Guard. His academic achievements include A-B honor roll, school magnet ambassadorship to middle school magnet student prospects and enrollment in the Center of Excellence for Government/Law Affairs. His grade point average is 3.4.

Cadets compete in the areas of JROTC curriculum knowledge, communication skills, cumulative GPA, cadet resume' as well as appearance and military customs and courtesies.  Second place went to Cadet 1st Lt. Reshard Pearson of Tara High School, and third place was awarded to Cadet Captain Diamond Fields of Istrouma High School.

In October, Cadet Lt. Col. Bryant Hamilton of Tara High School won the LET IV JROTC Cadet of the Year Board Award.  Hamilton, Tara High JROTC's Battalion commander, is an exceptional well-rounded young leader with numerous accomplishments Student of the Year for 2010-2011, Louisiana Boys State representative, president of the Student Government Association and ranked in the top 5 percent of his senior class. 

The Cadet of the Year Board includes four recognition events during the year, one for each of the four Leadership and Education and Training (LET) levels, from a first-year cadet to a fourth-year cadet.  Each School System high school’s JROTC team is encouraged to enter an outstanding cadet at each level.  Participants receive a certificate and medal, and the Board determines the overall LET level winners who receive a plaque.  The Board consists of five JROTC instructors who are appointed by Hyver Jr. (US Army, retired).

On Saturday, schools with JROTC battalions represented at the competition included:  Belaire High, Broadmoor High, Capitol PCAG, Central High, Glen Oaks High, Istrouma High, Northeast High, Scotlandville Magnet High, Tara High, Woodlawn High, Zachary High.

First place team awards went to:  Overall Competition – Tara High School; Rifle Team, Prone – Zachary High School; Rifle Team Kneeling – Zachary High School; Rifle Team Standing - Woodlawn High School; Rifle Team Overall – Zachary High School; Rife Individual Overall – Cadet John Lewis of Woodlawn High School; Drill Team Inspection – Tara High School; Drill Team Regulation – Tara High School; Drill Team Exhibition – Tara High School; Drill Team Overall – Tara High School; Color Guard Armed – Tara High School; and Color Guard Unarmed – Northeast High School.

For more information, contact Hyver at (225) 354-4491.