Laredo Independent School District recognized Nixon High School JROTC student Yamileth Rojas as LISD’s 2023-2024 Superior Cadet. Rojas was honored during the Superior Cadet Ceremony which was held at the LISD Performing Arts Center in the Dr. Marcus Nelson Conference Center.
Special guest speaker LISD Board Parliamentarian Goyo Lopez addressed the cadets and thanked their parents and JROTC sponsors for guiding the students. LISD Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Rios offered some words of wisdom to the cadets on the responsibilities they have as citizens.
Laredo ISD’s 2023-2024 Superior Cadet is Yamileth Rojas from Nixon High School. Yamileth is under the leadership ofROTC Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Bennie Feagin. Yamileth is a senior and served as a Mustang JROTC executive officer with the rank of Lt. Colonel. She plans to attend college after graduation.
JROTC has allowed Rojas to develop her survival and leadership skills, taught her life-long lessons, and, most importantly, given her a second family. Her most memorable experience in JROTC is participating in the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge. Yamileth attends the Business, Industry, and Public Service Early College Academy at Nixon High School. She is a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Texas in Austin and pursue a career in Criminal Justice or Animal Science.
“A big congratulations to Yamileth for her hard work and dedication. She represents the very best of her school and she wears her uniform with pride,” said LISD Superintendent Dr. Sylvia Rios.
During the year, Rojas, along with other cadets from LISD’s three JROTC Programs, had been recognized as LISD’s Honorable Cadets for their qualities and leadership skills as cadets who demonstrate outstanding capabilities as active members of their community through service, self-discipline, responsibility, and respect.
LISD Honorable Cadets for 2023-2024 were also recognized during the ceremony. They are Ashley Adame, Jacqueline Tapia, Stacy A. Villegas, Valeria Hernandez, Amaris Izaguirre, Briana Morales, Xerina Coleman, Carlos Andrade, Jose Gonzalez, Roberto Ibarra, and Roberto Trevino.
Also, six LISD seniors were recognized as the recipients of the Dr. T.H. Giese 1st Cavalry Vietnam 66-67 Scholarship. The students are Sabrina Gamez and Andrea Huerta of Martin High School, Amaris Izaguirre and Yamileth Rojas of Nixon High School, and Luis Fernando Villasana and Layla Carreon of Cigarroa High School.
The JROTC instructional leaders who have helped shape and mold these fine young men and women. Are Lt. Colonel Benny Feagin from Nixon High School, Sergeant Major Juan Hernandez and Staff Sergeant Dinora Villarreal from Martin High School, and Sergeant First Class Conrado Martinez and Staff Sergeant Gilberto Gonzalez from Cigarroa High School.
The Cigarroa High School JROTC, under the direction of Sergeant First Class Conrado Martinez., presented the colors. LISD JROTC cadets Jose Gonzalez from Martin High School and Xerina Coleman from Nixon High School led the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge. Guests enjoyed a BBQ lunch which was prepared by Cigarroa, Martin, and Nixon High School Culinary Arts students. The Culinary Arts Departments are under the direction of Gilberto Cavazos, Cigarroa High School, Carlotta Romo, Martin High School, and Grizelda Sauceda and Michelle Crawford, Nixon High School. The recognition was conducted by LISD’s ROTC Program and the LISD College, Career and Military Readiness Department.