Posted by

Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti

on

3/29/2024 12:11:00 PM

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Office of Communications
813-272-4060 

Tampa, Fla. – (March 29, 2024) – Hillsborough County Public Schools announced their JROTC Cadet of the Year on Thursday evening at Jefferson High School. The district announced the top ten cadets along with the overall winner at the year-end awards program. C/Col Tyler Szymanski from Sickles High School took home the top honors for Cadet of the Year.

Hillsborough County Public Schools has 28 Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs and over 5,200 cadets this school year. Currently, there are 11 Army JROTC programs, 9 Navy, 7 Air Force, and 1 Marine Corps. Each cadet that was nominated went through a rigorous selection process to be considered for the top awards.

“It is always an honor to recognize our JROTC programs here in Hillsborough County,” said Van Ayres, superintendent of schools. “The competition was tough, and they should be very proud to be named one of the top cadets.”

This year’s winners are:

  • TOP WINNER: C/Col Tyler Szymanski from Sickles High School

  • C/Maj Elio Alvarez, Chamberlain High School

  • C/LTC Kayla Walters, East Bay High School

  • C/CDR Jackson Cardona, Gaither High School

  • C/CDR Maria Rodriguez, Leto High School

  • C/Col Trisha Sakamuri, Middleton High School

  • C/MAJ Benjamin Phelps, Newsome High School

  • C/Lt Col Sean Murphy, Plant High School

  • C/LTJG Elena Workman, Spoto High School

  • C/CPT Jackson Reese, Steinbrenner High School

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