Faith Miller – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Wednesday the LRHS Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) hosted their end-of-the-year annual Award Ceremony in the auditorium.

This event celebrated the vast amount of battalion accomplishments, new leadership precedents, and records set throughout the past year.

The leaders’ teamwork restored multiple events that had been delayed to the COVID-19 pandemic

Former Battalion Commander senior Samantha Rees said, “I am so grateful to have been able to work with so many diligent and capable student leaders this past school year, and I am confident that the seniors of this year’s battalion will thrive in the next chapter of their lives.”

Junior Captain Sophia D’Orazio was promoted to the position of Battalion Commander. Junior Sergeant First Class Brandon Rivera was promoted to the position of Battalion Sergeant Major.

The Mustangs will fill these roles in the upcoming school year.

Former Battalion Command Sergeant Major senior Muda Osman said, “The JROTC Awards Ceremony concluded what was one of the most impactful experiences of my life so far.

“It was blissful in the sense that it’s finally over after all the blood, sweat, and tears throughout the years of hard work in special teams, leadership positions, and following through with a number of critical orders and event procedures,” he explained.

Stay updated on important LRHS news and share what you like by following our Twitter @MustangsAhead, Instagram @mustangs_ahead, TikTok @mustangsahead and follow the Mustangs Ahead Podcast  

“I’m excited to see what the leadership of next year will accomplish, and I feel rejuvenated after relinquishing my position to the Sergeant Major of next year,” continued Osman.

The Award Ceremony involved not only the change-of-command ceremony, but the announcement of the staff leaders for the upcoming school year, and the presentation of multiple awards at the school, regional, state, and national levels.

The monthly Mustang battalion newsletter can be found on the JROTC website. Mustangs interested in participating in the JROTC program can contact Major Shawn O’Dea or Master Sgt. William Cassidy.