ÐÓ°É

April 29, 2019

The 32nd Annual ÐÓ°É Public Schools JROTC Cadet Pass and Review was held in late March at Hughes Field. Approximately 1,000 cadets from the seven JPS high schools and the Powell Middle School Academy of Military Science participated. The program consisted of the Formation of Cadets, Entrance of the Official Party, Cadet Change of Command, Honors to the Nation, Introduction of Cadet Battalions, the Cadet Creed, Honors to the Reviewing Officer, and the Presentation of Awards. The entire Pass and Review Ceremony was conducted by cadets. The recently announced Cadets of the Year performed all of the key leadership roles in the ceremony.

Cadet Col. Brandie Wigley, the recently named 2019 Cadet of the Year, served as the Brigade Commander. Wigley welcomed the attending audience and recapped the program's accomplishments over the year. As Host Commander for the ceremony, she introduced Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Margarett Barnes and JPS Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Greene before they each gave opening remarks.

Barnes has led a distinguished military career of more than 37 years. She retired as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Human Resource Command. She currently serves as a Mississippi Ambassador for the U.S. Army Reserves.

"One of the things that we observed was something that JROTC says that it strives to teach you," said Barnes. "That is, leadership and teamwork. See, there's no way that you could have made it in in that beautiful formation unless you knew how to act as a team and also had good leaders, from the cadre down to the cadet commanders."

"The young people that I've seen march on to this field have demonstrated a level of integrity and a great deal of poise," said Greene. "I know that there's great leadership in these young people, and they have the level of focus that it will take to ensure that they're all well-prepared to move forward."

Cadet Change of Command

Wigley and the 2019 incoming Brigade staff presented Medallions of Excellence as tokens of appreciation for a job well done to outgoing Brigade staff led by Brigade Commander Cadet Col. Ruben Banks, a graduating senior at Jim Hill High School. Along with Banks, outgoing Brigade staff receiving the Medallions of Excellence were:

• Cadet Public Affairs Officer: C/LTC Jayla Crumb, Callaway High
• Cadet Executive Officer: C/LTC Le'Jeric Humphrey, Forest Hill High
• Cadet Command Sergeant Major: C/CSM Fabian Hill, Jim Hill High
• Cadet S-4/Logistics Officer: C/LTC Joseph Mitchell, Murrah High
• Cadet Personnel Officer: C/LTC Joseph Jiles, Lanier High
• Cadet Security and Automations Officer: C/LTC LaDarian Carter, Provine High
• Cadet Training and Operations Officer: C/LTC Shamia Thompson, Wingfield High

All are graduating seniors in the class of 2019.

Scholastic Excellence Award Recipients

Also referred to as the Superintendent's Award, the Scholastic Excellence Award is presented each year to the cadet who exhibits the highest degree of excellence in scholastic areas. Listed are the 2019 recipients for each of the seven JPS high schools and the Powell Middle School Academy of Military Science.

C/MAJ Jayla Crumb, Callaway High – Crumb is the Battalion Executive Officer of Callaway High School 4th Battalion Charging Chargers. She is ranked 12 out of 219 seniors in her class with a 3.3 GPA and an ACT score of 26. She plans to attend ÐÓ°É State University in the fall of 2019 to pursue a degree in mathematics education and participate in STEM. After graduating college, she plans to be a math teacher.

C/LTC Brittany Bradley, Forest Hill High – Bradley is a graduating senior currently ranked in the top ten of her class. She has served as the Battalion Commander of the 5th Battalion Patriots for the past two years. She aspires to become an artist and will be attending Mississippi College in the fall.

C/CPT Essence Byrd, Jim Hill High – Byrd is a sophomore in the International Baccalaureate Program at Jim Hill High School. She currently serves as the Battalion Logistical Officer (S4) for the Tiger Battalion. She has a 4.5 GPA and is ranked 8 of 246 students in her sophomore class.

C/SSG Christopher Washington, Lanier High – Washington is the 1st Battalion, Alpha Company, Platoon Sergeant. He is currently ranked 6 out of 188 sophomores and he holds a grade point average of 3.30. He plans to graduate Lanier High School as valedictorian, attend Alcorn State University, and major in nursing.

C/CPT Jaydin Reeves, Murrah High – Reeves is a graduating senior LET 4. She is an advanced placement student with a QPA of 4.07, ASVAB score of 70, ACT score of 27, and is ranked number 29 out of 296 students in her class. Reeves has applied for a NAVY ROTC college scholarship.

C/SCM Ebony Ransom, Provine High – Ransom is a senior and holds a 3.1 GPA. She is ranked in the top 25% of her senior class. She is president of the Student Government Association and represents her school as a JPS Ambassador. She serves as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major for the Mighty Rams Battalion.

C/LTC Shamia Thompson, Wingfield High – Thompson is ranked No. 2 in her junior class with a cumulative GPA of 4.05.  She serves on the Cadet Brigade Staff as the Brigade S-2/6 and as Wingfield’s Cadet Battalion Commander. Her future plans are to graduate from Wingfield High School as the valedictorian for the class of 2019 and attend Tougaloo College on academic scholarships.

C/PVT Jaylen Matthews, Powell Middle – Matthews is a sixth-grade student with a GPA of 91.

About the JPS JROTC Program

The JPS JROTC Program is the largest in the state of Mississippi and among the largest in our region, which consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. The Army JROTC Program in JPS has been developed against a historical background of almost 83 years of experience. The first JROTC Program in ÐÓ°É was started at Central High School in l936. Since that time, thousands of students have been exposed to the ideals of leadership, character development and citizenship training provided by JROTC. Today, the Army JROTC Program is thriving in all seven JPS high schools. With current enrollment approaching nearly 1,782 students, the JPS JROTC is striving to continue a legacy of excellence in preparing young people for successful living.

More Coverage:

• , JPS ITV, April 10, 2019