On 9 May 2014 the Perry High School Junior Reserve Officer Corp held its Annual Military Ball and Awards Dinner at the American Legion Post 116 in Avalon, Pa. The event was a huge success for the JROTC Cadets. Six Senior Cadets will graduate this year and were recognized for their time and effort in such a great program which fosters the idea of creating better citizens out of our young people. The following Senior Cadets received awards for their participation in the program: Cadet David Young, Cadet Mia Shields, Cadet Jaron Harris, Cadet Alex Chmura, Cadet Kelab Wilkins, and Cadet Tori Epps.

Additional awards presented for Military Excellence, Academic Achievement and Athletics were presented from the American Legion, Veterans’ of Foreign Wars, The Military Order of World War Veterans, The Military Officers Association of America and The Reserve Officers Association of America.

The Cadets also began a new tradition of allowing our Senior Cadets to cut the Ceremonial Cake and serving to the underclassmen Cadets of the JROTC Program. After the formal events of the night were completed, the Cadets opened up the dance floor and enjoyed the rest of the night dancing.

The Awards Ceremony was attended by special guests Brigadier General (Retired) Peter Bellisario, of Military Order of World Wars, Colonel (Retired) Robert Reese of the Military Order of World Wars and Vice Principal Rowland Bynum of Perry High School.

The two JROTC Instructors, Major Christopher Augustine and Sergeant First Class John Holtz were impressed with how well the Military Ball was executed and will now pass off the organization and planning of the event to next year’s Senior Cadets.