North Brunswick High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps HONORED by local veterans!
L to R: Post #68 Commander Fortini, 1Sgt. Williams, Mrs. Williams, Cadet of the year Valeria Alvarado, Mrs. Alvarado, Mr. Alvarado and Post Chaplin McAvoy.
Cadet Valeria Alvarado, our NBHS JROTC American Legion North Carolina Department Cadet of the Year award winner, attended the April John E. Jacobs American Legion Post #68 meeting in Leland, NC. The Leland Post has long supported the NBHS JROTC and its rifle team. At the April meeting, they also recognized First Sergeant George Williams for his dedication and leadership in the operation of the JROTC over the last few years. The American Legion Post #68 membership also hosted a pre-meeting dinner for the Alvarado family and 1SG. Williams and his Wife at the Blossoms Restaurant. Cadet Valeria Alvarado’s and the NBHS JROTC Riffle team’s accomplishments so far this calendar year include:
- Won: The Post #68 2024 Oratorical contest and represented us well at the NC District 9 Oratorical Contest.
- Won: The Department of NC JROTC Cadet of the Year award.
- Captained: The NBHS JROTC Rifle Team to a 4th place finish overall (2nd among Army teams) in the National Competition last week in Ohio.
Cadet Valaria Alvarado was introduced as the American Legion Dept of NC JROTC Cadet of the year and her family along with 1st Sgt Williams from the NBHS JROTC program. Cadet Alvarado was also our guest speaker for the meeting. She is an amazing individual.
The John E. Jacobs American Legion Post #68 Commander Dan Fortini the award presentation to Valaria Alvarado as the winner of the Post #68 Oratorical competition on Jan.6, 2024.
Cadet Valaria Alvarado was born in Orlando, Florida. She attended Dillard Street Elementary, East Garner Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Leland Middle School and enrolled at NBHS in August 2021. Valaria joined the Scorpion Battalion in the first semester of her freshman year. She has been an active member of the Drill Team, Color Guard, Rifle Team, and JLAB Academic Team. Valaria has served as the Battalion S-3 (which is a leadership position). She has earned many ribbons and awards, such as the Academic Achievement award and the American Legion Cadet of the Year for the State of North Carolina award. During her tenure in the JROTC, she has achieved the ranks of Private First Class, Corporal, Sergeant First Class, Major and in April of 2024 she assumed the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
First Sergeant George Williams continues in his leadership as the Team’s coach. The skills in performance and leadership were evident in this year’s team’s results:
The JROTC Rifle Championship results: the NBHS JROTC Rifle Team distinguished themselves again at the National Championships in Ohio this year. The Team finished 4th nationally of all JROTC units and 1st among Army JROTC units. In individual competition (137 competitors), Cadet Liz Dominguez finished 9th nationally and 2nd among Army JROTC shooters. The NC JROTC Cadet of the Year (and Rifle team Captain), Val Alvarado, finished 11th nationally and 3rd among Army shooters.
At the individual level of the 137 shooters, one NBHS shooter, Liz Dominguez finished 9th overall (2nd among Army shooters) and Valeria finished 11th overall (3rd among Army shooters). Alvarado Captained the NBHS JROTC Rifle Team to a 4th place finish overall (2nd among Army teams) in the National Competition last week in Ohio.
Post members presenting John E. Jacobs scholarship.
Post 68 Chaplain Jim McAvoy and Past Commander Dale Todd present to NBHS JROTC LTC Allanah Mintz, the 2024 John E. Jacobs Legion Post 68 scholarship at NBHS.