The Lakeview Air Force JROTC program earned a national level award this week, receiving the coveted Silver Star With Excellence in Community Service Award from Headquarters Air Force.
This award is presented to only the top 5 percent of schools worldwide, more than 870 schools, for their contributions to their community.
The mission of AFJROTC is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. The importance of service, and understanding how it positively impacts cadets, schools, communities, and the nation is a critical component of what they strive to teach through the AFJROTC program and is a central part of their mission. This award is earned by units with the highest per-cadet average of community service hours which are planned and conducted by cadets under the supervision of their instructors. This award also recognizes the personal growth and accomplishments of the cadets, contributions of their instructors Major Stacey Wiggins and Chief Master Sergeant John Thomas as mentors, and the support of the school and the Natchitoches Parish school board and community.
Colonel Johnny McGonigal, Director HQ AFJROTC noted, “We recognize that it is not just about (Community Service) ‘hours,’ it is about the positive impact these hours represent. Certainly, numerous AFJROTC units are doing great things in their respective communities, but these units truly represent the best of our AFJROTC units worldwide. The cadets, instructors, and schools are to be commended for earning this distinctive award. Well done!”
Lakeview’s AFJROTC is coming off a banner year not only earning the also-coveted Distinguished Unit Award but they are also home to Cadet Kaytlynn Walsworth, the State of Louisiana’s Cadet of the Year.
They hope to have another banner year for 2023-2024 with their up-and-coming Marksmanship team and as they introduce a new small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS, i.e. Drone) activity which will introduce cadets to potential career opportunities.
