Three Atlanta Public Schools JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) cadets were awarded the national Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement recently by U.S. Army Cadet Command and the Legion of Valor Headquarters in Cypress, California.
Cadets Elonte Porter from New Schools at Carver High School, Lam Dang from Maynard H. Jackson High School, and Odyssey Wilson from Benjamin E. Mays High School, were three of only five JROTC cadets in Georgia to win this award. Nationally, the Legion of Valor is authorized at a level of roughly one per every 4,000 cadets. The award is a rare honor, as fewer than 100 are awarded nationally every year. Cadets earn the award based on their academic excellence; leadership potential; and service to their school, community and nation.
APS has one of the largest JROTC programs in the state. A total of 2,900 cadets participate in JROTC in 11 APS schools. JROTC is no longer perceived as a pipeline to or recruiting arm of the military. Rather, it is a high-quality, leadership-development, character-building program for students. To learn more about APS’ JROTC program, watch APS’ made-for-television special presentation and view photos from an intensive training session that took place this past summer at Fort Benning, Georgia. In addition, visit the APS JROTC department online.