Dallas-area JROTC cadets honored for exemplary performance

DALLAS—The Dallas Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars honored five local Junior ROTC cadets from
Dallas area high schools at its Nov. 7 Annual Awards Luncheon. The students were recognized for their exemplary
performance at the annual Junior ROTC cadet leadership conferences.

“It’s my pleasure to recognize these cadets from various North Texas high school districts for their outstanding performance,”
said former US Army Captain Mark Smits, Chapter Junior Vice Commander and Chair of the ROTC and
JROTC Program. “That performance, combined with their academic record and other achievements, sets them
apart from their peers.”

The annual JROTC Cadet Leadership Conferences are conducted at 20 different facili????es around the state. The Conferences
are a weeklong series of exercises and challenges that include skill development in subjects such as orienteering,
leadership, robotics, drill and ceremony and archery.

The cadets who were honored are the following:

Army JROTC Cadet Leadership Camp:
Rodolfo Esquival Mesquite Horn High School
Breanna Escamilla Seagoville High School

Navy and Marine JROTC Cadet Leadership Camp
Yuleima Batres Greenville High School

Air Force and Space JROTC Cadet Leadership Camp
Samuel Lebow Wylie High School
Thomas (Miles) Whitmire Wylie High School

All the cadets were presented with the Junior ROTC Bronze Patrick Henry Medallion and Ribbon, which is awarded
by local MOWW chapters to excepetional youth for patriotic achievement.

Keynote speaker for the awards ceremony was re????red Army Maj. Gen. Al Zapanta, whose awards for his service
during the Vietnam War include the Silver Star, five Bronze Stars for valor, and the Purple Heart. He has served in
numerous presiden????al appointments and was a White House Fellow. He currently serves as a council member for
the City of Irving. General Zapanta spoke about leadership, and the role that educa????on and family play in successful
endeavors.

The support to Junior ROTC and ROTC programs is part of MOWW’s effort to provide programs that support our
youth, community, and nation.

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MEDIA CONTACT: MOWW Dallas, Martie Cenkci cenkci@msn.com