For the tenth straight year, the AHS JROTC has been recognized as a Naval Honor School, an achievement only 20 percent of Marine Corps JROTC programs in the nation receive.

This prestigious status will allow the program to send nominations to military schools such as the U.S. Naval Academy and West Point. In his twelfth year since he started the program, Chief Warrant Officer Justice Lasyone praises the work of his cadets, speaking on what the 10-year streak means to him.

“It’s very special and shows that hard work and dedication will be recognized,” Lasyone said. “The cadets have consistently demonstrated incredible initiative, commitment and perseverance. They are highly motivated young men and women.”

Atascocita’s program was one of only a few schools honored in Region 5, which includes Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The selection process is based upon several criteria, such as cadet citizenship, involvement in student government or other organizations and community service. The program accumulated 4,038 hours of community service just last year.

“Our selection means to me that we’re consistently involved in the community,” Cadet Battalion Commander Carter Lazer said. “It means that we’re giving out more than we’re receiving. We never ask for anything in return.”

This program award also grants credibility to our school’s JROTC instructors. Their recommendation letters for students interested in service academies, because of the recognition, carry as much weight as one from a United States representative or senator. JROTC prepares its cadets for the future, along with building character and integrity.

“JROTC is not just about convincing people to enlist,” Cadet Nathan Miller (11) said. “It’s about teaching leadership and communication skills to prepare us for wherever life will take us.”