The Arkadelphia High School JROTC Badger Battalion held their 2023-24 Awards and Change of Command Ceremony on Friday, April 26. Under the direction of JROTC Senior Commander Colonel Philip Foster and SFC Jeffrey Ward, Army Instructor, students were recognized for their accomplishments throughout the year. All the cadets receiving awards have excelled in the program and at school. They have achieved high standards academically and rank in the upper 25 percent or better in their JROTC classes. Awards include the following:
The awards ceremony began with a special scholarship presentation. Rita Smith of Blue Bird Real Estate presented a $500 scholarship to Victoria Noorigan.
Association of the United States Army Award, Cadet Major Georgia Stockton.
Recruiting Command Award, Cadet Micah Raney.
Daughters of American Colonists Award presented by Ms. Frankie Oschner, Cadet Destiny Malagon
U.S. Daughters of 1812 from the Baseline Meridian Chapter presented by Ms. Frankie Oschner, Cadet Captain Lauren Epps
Daughters of the American Revolution Award presented by Mrs. Judy Honey, Cadet Captain Kelis Stevens.
American Legion Awards. Scholastic Excellence and Military Excellence, American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet William Thompson.
American Legion Military Excellence award, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Tristan Smith.
Sons of the American Revolution Award, Cadet 1st Lieutenant John Michael Ferguson.
American Veterans ROTC Recognition Award, Cadets John Michael Ferguson and Savannah Currey.
Veteran of Foreign Wars Award.
Cadet Captain Seth Molinari for General Military Excellence
Cadet Sergeant First Class Ben Dong for Scholastic Excellence.
Military Officers Association of the United States, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Tristan Smith.
Order of Daedalians, Cadet Sergeant Major Deanna Buckley.
Military Order of World Wars, Cadets Seth Molinari and Perry Nelson
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Cadet Command Sergeant Major Jayme Melugin.
Non-Commissioned Officer Association Award, Cadet Command Sergeant Major Jayme Melugin.
US Army Warrant Officers Association, Ethan Black, Michael Prine, Perry Nelson and Lexie Miller.
Vietnam Veterans of America Award, Cadet Gabe Owens.
Reserve Officer Association Award, Cadet Sergeant First Class Victoria Noorigian.
Military Order of Foreign Wars, Cadet Sergeant Major Micah Raney and Cadet Corporal Alaina Metcalf.
101st Airborne Division Award, Cadet Captain Ashton Hayes.
82nd Airborne Division award. The recipient is Cadet Major Georgia Stockton.
Special Forces Association award. The recipient is Cadet First Sergeant Dillon Rogers.
U.S. Calvary Association. The recipient is Jayme Melugin.
Tuskegee Airman Award. The recipient is Cadet Destiny Malagon.
Presidential Active Lifestyle Award. The recipient is Savannah Currey.
Battalion Awards
JROTC best dressed, from LET 1 to LET4 are Ashton Hayes, Seth Molinari, Perry Nelson, and Tristin Smith.
Most Improved Cadets are Alexis Daniel and John Michael Ferguson
Leadership Award goes to Jayme Melugin
Drill and Ceremony recipients include Destiny Malagon, Deanna Buckley, Kelis Stevens, Seth Molinari, Michael Prine, Ernesto Rivera, Perry Nelson
Distinguished Cadet for LET I is William Thompson
Distinguished Cadet for LET II is Georgia Stockton
Distinguished Cadet for LET III is Perry Nelson
Distinguished Cadet for LET IV is Jayme Melugin
The Overall Distinguished Cadet is Cadet Command Sergeant Major Jayme Melugin
Distinguished Cadet for Scholastics Award: Bree Currey, Kelis Stevens, Ben Dong, Alaina Metcalf.
The Academic Excellence Award for Cadets with all A’s: Alaina Metcalf, William Thompson, Ben Dong, DeDe Buckley, Kelis Stevens.
The Academic Achievement Award for All A’s & B’s: Ethan Black, Kaden Bryant, Brenley Gulley, Ashton Hayes, Rubi Marroquin, Emily Santos, Katlin Thomas, Cherokee Thompson, Stormy Tucker, Isabella Haycox, Morgan Lewis, Lauren Epps, Perry Nelson, Georgia Stockton, Bree Currey, Jayme Melugin, Tristan Smith.
Academic Merit Award: Ethan Black, Kaden Bryant, Brenley Gulley, Ashton Hayes, Rubi Marroquin, Emily Santos, Katlin Thomas, Cherokee Thompson, Stormy Tucker, Isabella Haycox, Morgan Lewis, Lauren Epps, Perry Nelson, Georgia Stockton, Bree Currey, Jayme Melugin, Tristan Smith, Alaina Metcalf, William Thompson, Ben Dong, DeDe Buckley, Kelis Stevens.
Senior Army Instructor Leadership Ribbon: Ethan Black, Georgia Stockton, DeDe Buckley, Jayme Melugin.
Proficiency Medal for Leadership, Academics, and Performance of Duty: Ashton Hayes, Georgia Stockton, DeDe Buckley, Jayme Melugin.
Commendation Medal for Cadets who exceed the performance expected of their grade: Ethan Black, Alaina Metcalf, William Thompson, and Benjamin Dong.
Service Learning Ribbon: Tristan Smith, Bree Currey, Georgia Stockton, Perry Nelson, Micha Raney, John Michael Ferguson, Ernesto Rivera, Michael Prine, Seth Molinari
Excellent Staff Performance Award: Tristan Smith, Jayme Melugin, DeDe Buckley, Georgia Stockton, Seth Molinari, Michael Prine, Kelis Stevens, Perry Nelson and Savannah Currey
The incoming and outgoing battalion commanders performed the Change of Command Ceremony.
INCOMING COMMANDER, CADET LIEUTENANT COLONEL Georgia Stockton,
2024-25 NEW STAFF: Georgia Stockton (BN CDR), DEANNA BUCKLEY (BN XO), Micah Raney (BN CSM), William Thompson (S-1), Ethan Black (S-2), Seth Molinari (S-3), Michael Prine (S-4), (S-5), Ben Dong (S-6), Perry Nelson, Special Projects, JOHN MICHAEL FERGUSON, PT AND RAIDER TEAM COMMANDER, William Thompson, COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMANDER and Destiny Malagon, Drill Commander.
