Fox Valley Archive of ROTC Award Winners
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This page is an archive of ROTC winners recognized by the Fox Valley chapter in previous years. Generally these high school or college cadets have been awarded the Bronze ROTC medal, but there are a few exceptions. The photos and a brief comment on each winner appears in the photo section below. The main page for ROTC Awards has a listing of the schools supported by Fox Valley as well as photos of the Bronze ROTC medal and certificate. |
Photos of ROTC Award Winners from Previous Years
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Daniel Hernandez
of the Navy ROTC program at Aurora East on April 20, 2011. Daniel has over a 5.0 GPA due to taking
and making A's in honors courses. He plans to make a career as a Naval officer. East Aurora has the largest number of JROTC students
in the USA.
President Bruce Talbot presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Henry Kinane
at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at Marmion Military Academy on February 13, 2011. Cadet Kinanne is the Charlie Company Commander
and is a Dean's List Honors student (3.8 GPA). He is the leader of the Flanagan Rifles unarmed exhibition drill squad.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Good Citizenship medal to Cadet Richard Koehnke
at a ceremony for the Aurora Sea Cadets on June 9, 2011. Richard showed real commitment to the Sea Cadets for
6 years by traveling from Palos Park to Aurora. He has now joined the Navy and will be going to Great Lakes for boot camp.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Nick Drazenovic
at the annual awards ceremony for the Air Force ROTC program at Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook on May 6, 2011.
Nick, a good student with a 3.5 GPA, plans to go to the University of Chicago to study computer science.
James Garrison presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Colonel Rebecca Mooi
at the ceremony for the Air Force ROTC program at Lincoln Way Central High School
on May 6, 2011. Rebecca is the Group Commander, and a member of the Drill Team and Academic Bowl. She has a GPA of 3.99.
Rebecca aspires to attend the Air Force Academy.
Compatriot Jim Garrison presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Master Sergeant Nicholas Picciolini
of the Air Force ROTC program at Lincoln Way East High School in Frankfort on May 20, 2011. Nicholas coordinates the corps honor program.
He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta (math honorary) and the computer club. He plans to be an engineer.
VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Steve Suste
at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at Joliet West High School on May 4, 2011. Steve, as the Command Sgt. Major,
is the third highest
ranking member of the command structure. He also received a Service Citation. Steve
is thinking about joining the Navy when he graduates.
VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Sgt First Class Deanato Robinson
at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at Joliet Central High School on May 4, 2011. Deanato is a member of
the Color Guard and Honor Guard. He is the safety on the football team. Deanato plans to enlist in the Marine corps after graduation.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Gabriella Drong
at the annual ceremony for the Air Force ROTC program at Lockport High School on April 29, 2011. Gabriella
won her Freshman letter and was inducted into the Arnold Air Society.
She has 7 brothers and no sisters! Gabriella plans to join the military after graduation.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Zac Rice
at the annual ceremony for the Navy ROTC program at Mooseheart High School on May 6, 2011. Zac was
named Commander of the JROTC company. This is a major achievement for a junior, and demonstrates Zac's
leadership skills and transformation since arriving at Mooseheart.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Good Citizenship medal to Cadet Petty Officer First Class Zachary Dodd
at the ceremony for the Naperville Sea Cadets squadron on June 5, 2010.
Zachary, cadet in charge of the corps, took a demanding 2 week Navy Seals program. He will attend the University of Illinois in Chicago to study biology.
He plans to be a Navy Nurse.
James Garrison presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Aaron Zibricky
at the ceremony for the Air Force ROTC program at Lincoln Way Central High School
on May 21, 2011. Aaron participates in the corps' academic bowl. He is a defensive end on the football team,
and a member of Future Farmers of America. He plans to attend Joliet Junior College.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Silver ROTC medal to Cadet Michael Rossi
at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on May 5, 2011.
Michael, who attended high school in Lombard, is a freshman at NIU. He plans to complete ROTC and be commissioned as an army officer.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Phu Le at the annual banquet of
the Navy ROTC program at Aurora East High School in Aurora on April 15, 2010. Phu was in command of the entire muster and the well run ceremony.
He plans to join the Navy upon graduation.
Chapter President Bruce Talbot presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Lucas Magee
at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora on February 24, 2010. Lucas will be attending Eastern Illinois University
and is a finalist for an Army ROTC scholarship.
After Chapter VP Dale Bottom was piped aboard and presented the Good Citizenship medal to Cadet Petty Officer Joseph Mayer
at a ceremony for the Aurora Sea Cadets on June 12, 2010, he had a piece of cake. Joseph will be studying Engineering and
Entrepreneurship at a Community College this fall after spending 2 weeks studying Naval Intelligence this summer.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Salvador Martinez
at the annual awards ceremony for the Air Force ROTC program at Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook on April 17, 2010.
During the annual awards ceremony, Compatriot Jim Garrison presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Master Sergeant Mike Levesque
of the Air Force ROTC program at Lincoln Way East High School in Frankfort on May 1, 2010.
Compatriot Clyde Futrell presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Santino Alvarado
at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at Joliet Central High School in Joliet on May 5, 2010. Santino is a Junior at Joliet Central and
he plans to attend a Junior college after graduation in 2011.
Compatriot Clyde Futrell presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Major Alexander Morales
at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at Joliet West High School on May 5, 2010. Alex will be the Executive Officer
for the 2010-11 school year, a position of major responsibility. After graduation, Alex plans to go into
the military or attend college.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Edgar Ortiz
at the annual ceremony for the Air Force ROTC program at Lockport High School in Lockport on April 30, 2010. Edgar, a freshman,
plays football and basketball. His family is planning to move to Downers Grove where he intends to find an ROTC program.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Brendon Douglas
at the annual ceremony for the Navy ROTC program at Mooseheart High School in Mooseheart on May 7, 2010.
Brendon, an all around good student, plays football, runs track and went to state regionals in wrestling.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Good Citizenship medal to Cadet Petty Officer First Class Zachary Dodd
at the ceremony for the Naperville Sea Cadets squadron on June 5, 2010.
Zachary, cadet in charge of the corps, took a demanding 2 week Navy Seals program. He will attend the University of Illinois in Chicago to study biology.
He plans to be a Navy Nurse.
Compatriot James Garrison presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Alex Troyan
at the annual ceremony for the Air Force ROTC program at Lincoln Way Central High School
in New Lenox on May 15, 2010. Alex is the support staff officer and has a GPA of 3.7. He will attend IIT in the fall
and plans to be an aerospace engineer.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Justin Kidd
at a ceremony for the Marine ROTC program at Romeoville High School in Romeoville on May 13, 2010.
Justin runs cross country and is a member of Business Professionals of America. His team won regionals this year.
Chapter VP Dale Bottom presented the Silver ROTC medal to Cadet Rutger Glocker
at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on April 29, 2010.
Rutger, who attended Glenbard High School in Glen Ellyn, is a freshman with a 3.5 GPA. He plans to complete college and enter the military.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze Good Citizenship medal to US Sea Cadet Petty Officer Stephanie Cabe-Brookins of the Aurora Sea Cadets
on June 6, 2009. Cadet Cabe-Brookins will pursue a career in the U.S. Navy, having earned an NROTC scholarship to
pursue Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Lisa Gulczyski
on May 1, 2009 at the annual ceremony of the Lockport Air Force ROTC program. Lisa's proud mother was included in our official photo.
Clyde Futrell presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Lt. Ariel Sanchez at the annual ceremony for the Joliet Central High School JROTC program
on April 29, 2009.
Clyde Futrell presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Hernandez at the annual ceremony for the Joliet West High School JROTC program
on April 29, 2009.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze Good Citizenship medal to US Sea Cadet Petty Officer Amanda Glass of the Aurora Sea Cadets
on June 7, 2008. Cadet Glass, who ran the ceremony, also
won the VFW award. Amanda is taking flying lessons. She is a Certified Plane Captain and will soon return to
LeMore Naval Air Station in California
to renew her certification.
Bruce Talbot presented the
Bronze Good Citizenship medal to US Sea Cadet Petty Officer John Rylko of the Naperville Ghost Rider Squadron
on June 7, 2008. Cadet Rylko, a color guard member,
won the "Team Spirit" award at the Flagship competition. The Ghost Rider squadron also scored the highest score ever obtained during
the Semaphore competition.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Robert Espanosa at the ceremony for the Romeoville High School
Marine JROTC program on May 15, 2008. Cadet Espanosa has enlisted in the Marine Corps, and will soon report to San Diego
to begin his training. In addition to the SAR medal, he received a varsity letter and the Commandant's Award.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Michael Meyers at the very impressive annual formal Dining Out ceremony for the Lockport High School
Air Force JROTC program on May 4, 2008. Cadet Meyers also received a local
leadership award given to only 5% of the students, and is a member of the "best flight" of the corps.
Bruce Talbot presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Sean Lee at the annual ceremony for the Bolingbrook High School Air Force JROTC program
on May 3, 2008. This great program has been named an "Honor Unit" (top 10%) by the Air Force.
Cadet Lee plans on attending Southern Illinois University and his goal is to be a pilot flying jets for the Air Force.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Major John McCombs at the annual ceremony for the Joliet Central High School JROTC program
on April 30, 2008. John has a private pilot's licence. He was awarded a Navy ROTC scholarship to the University of Illinois.
He will enter the aviation program and plans for a commission in the Marine Corps.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Tyler Walden at the annual ceremony for the Joliet West High School JROTC program
on April 30, 2008. His grandmother and mother attended and were demonstrably proud of him. Cadet Walden is highly
praised by the staff. His interest is in computer applied technologies.
Henry Leonard, a long time member of the Fox Valley Chapter, presented the
Silver ROTC medal to Cadet Kowalski at a ceremony for the Army ROTC program at
Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on April 23, 2008.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Commander Antelmo Rojas at the annual ceremony for the Aurora East High School JROTC program
on April 15, 2008. This is a great program with a lot of esprit de corps. Cadet Rojas plans to attend the U of I, but he is
taking a year off to work to help a friend and fellow cadet with enormous medical expenses.
Bruce Talbot presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet First Lt. Joshua J. Stein at the annual banquet
on February 24, 2008. The speaker was Major General Daniel Bolger, a Marmion alum. Cadet Stein is an academic
honor cadet and Marmion Academy Track Team member.
He plans on attending Columbia University in New York City as a pre-med student.
Bruce Talbot pinned the
Bronze Good Citizenship medal on the chest of US Naval Sea Cadet Leading Petty Officer Miguel Luciano at the annual
ceremony (see photos) on June 9, 2007 at
the Army Reserve Center in Aurora. The Aurora Division of the US Naval Sea Cadets is comprised of 15 cadets, and they are commanded by
LTJG Brian K. Kobleur.
Bruce Talbot pinned the
Bronze Good Citizenship medal on the chest of Cadet Chief Petty Officer John J. McGarry at the annual ceremony on June 2, 2007
for the "Ghostriders", the U.S. Navy Sea Cadets at Naperville Central High School. They are led by
LTJG Delbert Luzadder. Cadet McGarry is the Color Guard Commander this year and next.
Jim Garrison, compatriot of the Fox Valley chapter, presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Ken Bowles at the banquet for Lincoln Way Central high school on May 20, 2007.
There were 250 people attending the banquet. Ken, who is 18, is an Eagle Scout, and plans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps
after high school graduation.
Dale Bottom presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Ewelina Zajkowski at the banquet for Lockport East High School in early May 2007.
The AF ROTC banquet was held at the Renaissance Center in Joliet, originally designed by Daniel Burnham.
Replacing the damaged photo of Ewelina is one of the sword salute creating a formal entrance.
On May 3, 2007 Fox Valley compatriot Clyde Futrell presented the
Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet 1st Sergeant Garrett King of Joliet West High School on the left, and
to Cadet Captain Hector Castellanos of Joliet Central High School on the right.
Dale Bottom, Chairman of the ROTC program for the Fox Valley chapter, presented the
Silver ROTC medal to Cadet John Belisario at NIU on April 27, 2007.
The Silver ROTC medal is given to students at the college level. John is a Freshman
from Gurnee, IL majoring in Physical Therapy.
Because of his successes with the Fox Valley ROTC programs, Bruce Talbot was selected
to head up the state-wide SAR ROTC programs in 2006. On March 29, 2007 Bruce handed off his local ROTC responsibilities
to Dale Bottom, Chairman of the ROTC committee for the Fox Valley chapter. Dale is a former Navy Commander and a fine golfer. 
Cadet Jordan Maley receives the Good Citizenship award from Compatriot Dale Bottom at the Marmion Military Academy awards night,
Sunday, February 25, 2007. Compatriot Bottom is a retired military officer and a member of the Fox Valley Chapter. Bruce Talbot
presented the ROTC medal that evening to another cadet.
On May 18, 2006, Bruce Talbot, Chairman of the ROTC committee, presented the Bronze ROTC medal
to Cadet Lt. Rebecca Cejka at a ceremony in the auditorium of
Romeoville High School. Cadet Lt. Cejka distinguished herself as a member
of the Marine Corps JROTC Academic Competition Team which placed in the top quarter of all Marine JROTC teams.
On May 5, 2006, Tom Van Cleave, long-time chapter member, presented the Bronze ROTC medal
to LTJG Robert Picker at a ceremony at
Mooseheart High School. In addition to the presentation
of medals from several national patriotic organizations, the ceremony featured routines
from the Mooseheart ROTC drill teams.
On May 5, 2006, Don Parrish, Chapter President, presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Allison Anderson,
an outstanding Junior at Lockport Township High School.
In the photo, Don is flanked by Allison and Robert Chlum, last year's winner, who was promoted to Cadet
Lt. Colonel during the Awards Banquet attended by about 300 people.
On April 29, 2006, Bruce Talbot, Chapter Secretary, presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Tom Boller,
an outstanding Junior at Bolingbrook High School.
Tom has already joined the Army Reserve and will be in boot camp this summer, then he will
return to finish his high school senior year. Then he will return to the Army for Advanced Infantry Training.
On April 18, 2006, Bruce Talbot, Chapter Secretary, presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Navy JROTC Cadet
Commander Joshua Petersohn of Aurora East High School.
Cadet Commander Petersohn led the Color Guard to first place in the United States!! He plans
to become a fireman and is currently an intern at the Montgomery Fire Department.
On March 5, 2006, Bruce Talbot, Chapter Secretary, presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain
Christopher A. Lindsay of Marmion Military Academy
during their annual Military Awards Night. Cadet Lindsay is the commander of an award-winning drill team. He plans
to attend Notre Dame majoring in Medical Engineering to prepare for Medical school.
On June 2, 2005, Bruce Talbot, Chapter Secretary, presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Mark E. Wicherek
of Lincoln-Way Central High School at their Air Force JROTC 10th annual Awards Banquet.
Cadet Wicherek is in the top 10
percent of his class and has enlisted in the US Air Force with plans to specialize in ordinance disposal and demolition.
On May 19, 2005, Bruce Talbot presented the ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Loreto Kintanar III
of Romeoville High School. Cadet Kintanar is completing his fourth year in the JROTC
program and plans to attend Joliet Junior College. Bruce mentioned to the cadet Marines that his patriot ancestor was the first
to use the Marines as a fighting force aboard ship.
On April 30, 2005, Bruce Talbot, Chapter Secretary, presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Sedric L. Williams
of Bolingbrook High School. Cadet Williams'
career goal is meteorology, and he believes the Air Force is the best path to obtain the necessary education and experience
to make his goal a reality.
On April 29, 2005, Bruce Talbot, Chapter Secretary, presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet Captain Robert Chlum
of Lockport Township High School at the Air Force Junior ROTC 29th Awards Night
Banquet and Dining Out at the Joliet Renaissance Center. Cadet Chlum is the Color Guard Commander
and a member of the unit's Executive Staff. Cadet Chlum is in the top 10 percent of his AFJROTC class and is a member of
the Kitty Hawk Air Society, the high school Air Force JROTC equivalency of the National Honor Society.
On March 6, 2005, Bruce Talbot, Chapter Secretary, presented the Bronze R.O.T.C. medal to Cadet Lt Col Elliot R. Lauzen
of Marmion Military Academy during their annual Military Awards Night. Cadet Lauzen
made the First Honors list and All-Conference academic honors. He is both an Illinois State Scholar and a 2005 National Merit
Scholarship winner.
On May 12, 2004, Don Parrish, Chapter President, presented the Bronze ROTC medal to Cadet LTJG Michael Ziegler of Mooseheart High School. The presentation
took place as part of the annual change of command ceremonies in the Field House of Mooseheart. There were two precision drill team performances to
commence the ceremony. Commander Gregg Hansen, who runs the N.J.R.O.T.C. program at Mooseheart, ran this ceremony.