(JROTC) Awards

2026 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Awards

National Defense Committee Report

Commissioner Charles Gause Chapter, USD 1812 

1. On Monday, April 20, 2026, Jacqueline LaMar presented awards on behalf of Commissioner Charles Gause Chapter (CCG), US Daughters of 1812 (USD1812) to US Army JROTC members at North Brunswick High School in Leland, NC. CPT (Retired) George King presided over the Scorpion Battalion’s Change of Command and Awards Ceremony:

• Cadet 2LT Molly Croteau, a junior, received an Award Certificate and the USD1812 National Society United States Daughters of 1812 JROTC Bronze Medal.

• C/CPT Eliza Moore, a senior, an Award Certificate and a monetary award.

 2. On Thursday, April 23, Jaqueline LaMar presented awards on behalf of the CCG chapter to US Army JROTC members at South Brunswick High School, near Southport, in Boiling Springs Lake, NC. LTC (R) Glenn Baker presided over the ceremony:

• Cadet Command Sergeant Major (C/CSM), Noris Baez, a junior, received an Award Certificate and the USD1812 JROTC Bronze Medal. She commanded the Cougar Battalion’s Color Guard during the 2025-26 school year.

• C/MAJ Ashley Creech, a senior, received an Award Certificate and a monetary award.  She served as the Cougar Battalion’s Executive Officer.

3. On Wednesday, May 13, Past President Carol Jutte presented awards on behalf of the CCG chapter to US Army JROTC members of the Trojan Battalion at West Brunswick High School in Shallotte, NC:

• C/CPT Jessi Penland, a junior, received an Award Certificate and the USD1812 JROTC Bronze Medal.

• C/MAJ Payton Mays, received an Award Certificate and a monetary award.

4. On Friday, May 15, Katherine Benedict presented an award on behalf of CCG to a USAF JROTC member of the Monarch Squadron at Northside High School in Jacksonville, NC (Onslow County). MSGT Curtis Locke, USAF Retired, presided: 

• C/Airman Helen Mendoza, a junior, received an Award Certificate and the USD 1812 JROTC Bronze Medal.

5. On Wednesday, May 20, Susan DeGroote presented awards on behalf of CCG to US Navy JROTC members at the John T. Hoggard High School Honors Night. CPT Stoney Mitchell, USN-R, led the ceremony aboard the USS Battleship North Carolina (New Hanover County):

• Cadet Cooper Kayleigh Williams, a junior, received an Award Certificate and the USD1812 JROTC Bronze Medal.

• Cadet Tyler Yamirah Spears, a senior, received an Award Certificate and a monetary award

          JROTC Medal Presented to Cadets at the Awards Assemblies in each of the high schools.

Jacqueline LaMar and Susan DeGroote

Co-Chairs, Defense Committee, JROTC

Commissioner Charles Gause Chapter, North Carolina

National Society United States Daughters of 1812

June 6, 2026