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Junior
ROTC
2011
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Jr. R.O.T.C. Dinner
Friday, March 11th, 201
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K. Smith, Mrs. Yi, C/COL Yi, Ms. Baison, Sqd Ldr Azam, SFC Onyenwe, COL Gravett, LTC McDonald, B, Johnson, C/CPT A. Moran
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SFC Onyenwe, C/CPT Moran, COL Mahan, USAF(Ret) |
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Benton, MG Gravett USA (Senior Officer Present) |
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President Munir Azam Opening Meeting |
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Basil Johnson, JROTC Chairman, makes introductions |
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LAUSD DAI LTC Ted A. McDonald, USA (Ret) |
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LAUSD All City JROTC Commander C/COL Min Ji Yi |
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Manual Arts HS Instructor SFC B. Onyenwe USA (Ret) |
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Manual Arts HS 2nd Platoon Leader C/CPT A. Moran |
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Ms Baison attened Monroe HS
from '96 to '99. Her speech
was titled "Perspectives from
a Former Cadet: JROTC
and Its Influence in My Life".
She received a standing ovation
for her speech.
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Speaker Diana Baison, JD |
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Cadets Perez-Limon, McCasland, Mayorquin, and Cruz |
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President Azam presenting Placque to Diana Baison |
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67th ANNUAL AWARD
OF BUSC JUNIOR R.O.T.C. TROPHY
AT MANUAL ARTS HIGH SCHOOL
MARCH 10, 2011
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For the past 67 years, the British United Services Club "Challenge Trophy" has been proudly presented for annual competitions to JROTC Companies within High Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The Trophy was first presented in 1945 and has been presented continuously since then. This year the trophy goes to Manual Arts High School.
Support of the competition is given whole-heartedly each year by the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education, the Armed Forces, and the British Consul General in Los Angeles.
The British United Services Club, a small but unique organization, was founded in 1935. It is composed of men and women who have seen service in the armed forces of the British Commonwealth of Nations, the armed forces of the United States and other allied countries, who join with their British Comrades in encouraging the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding and community service among persons who have fought side by side for the freedom of humans, world-wide.
The ceremony was directed by LTC. Ted A. McDonald, USA (Ret), Director of Army Instruction in the LAUSD. It was hosted by the Manual Arts HS Senior Army Instructor, CW4 Vernon Dayton, USA (Ret). The Toiler Battalion Cadet Commander was C/LTC Carlita Pipkins. Dignitaries present were Manual Arts High School Principal Nisha Dugal. The senior member present from the BUSC was MG Peter J. Gravett, USA (Ret).
Squadron Leader Munir Azam introduced the JROTC guest speaker and Reviewing Officer, COL.Blanche Gravett of the California National Guard. Her speech is given here:
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BUSC Remarks at Manual Arts High School
March 9, 2011 By
COL (Ret) Blanche Gravett
Ms Dugal, Principal of Manual Arts High School
Lieutenant Colonel Mc Donald, Coordinator of JROTC Programs, L.A. Unified School District
Squadron Leader Munir Azam, President, British United Services Club (Founded in 1935)
Mr. Basil Johnson, Esquire, JROTC Coordinator, British United Services Club (Founded in 1935)
Students of Manual Arts High School
And especially to the JROTC Cadets assembled here on the field, Good Morning…
I was honored to have been asked to provide remarks today for a number of reasons….
First, for many years I have been a supporter of the JROTC Program and today provides me one more opportunity to honor you fine cadets standing here on the “Toilers” Athletic Field at Manual Arts High School.
Second; as a graduate of Los Angeles High School I am delighted to see that the JROTC Program continues to mold young students as our future leaders as it has done since my high school years.
And finally, as a Los Angeles Unified School District educator while simultaneously serving my country in the US military as a reserve officer I have seen firsthand the value of these programs on students.
As BUSC members we all thank you for your service to your various schools and to your community. You are role models to the community as a whole and those of you who have younger brothers or sisters at home, you are role models to them. Your parents are just as proud of you as we are proud of you for participating in JROTC.
JROTC members know that participation in this program is not preparation for service in the military, it is preparation for the next chapter in your lives whether it be college, trade school, your first fulltime job or in fact it could very well be the military.
Whatever your next chapter is just know that your participation in JROTC has, in part, prepared you.
All of you who are in this program are special, very special. You are special because you have been taught leadership skills and discipline, you are special because you have been taught to take responsibility for your actions and deeds while participating in JROTC. You are also special because your individual grades have risen proportionate to your JROTC activities. You are very special because your high school graduation rate is more than double that of your fellow students not participating in a JROTC Program.
Although I am considered the first Woman Reviewing Officer for this event, I certainly will not be the last because one of you female cadets perhaps will someday stand where I am today.
As I look out among you I feel so proud that female cadets have taken their rightful places in leadership positions in JROTC, including past All-City Cadet Colonel.
Today, March 10, 2011, will always be marked in your memory. As you grow older and become adults, parents and leaders of this community, or move to another community, you will look back on this day, the day you stood in formation on the athletic field at Manual Arts High School and passed in review and saluted the flag of your country. You are all patriotic Americans who at this one point in your life wore the military service uniform of your country and for that you can always be proud.
In conclusion I want to thank the Principal and staff of Manual Arts High School, including the band, for hosting this event and your continual support of the program and I thank the British United Services Club (founded in 1935) for supporting the JROTC for over 70 years.
Once again, Thank you cadets.
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Please click the link below to view photos of the Awards Ceremony:
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