October Cadets of the Month

Cadet Command Sergeants Major William Alamo III. Cadet Alamo has successfully lead the Stingray Battalion in several school and community activities, to include the maintenance of the Cadet Garden, the Color Guard and the Honor Guard. Cadet Alamo is responsible for the overall training of the corps of cadets to include uniform inspections, maintenance of cadet equipment, the supervision of both garrison and field activities as well as setting academic standards for other cadets to follow. He is highly respected in the Sumner JROTC program and the Sumner Highschool student body. He is frequently praised by his teachers the school and the Hillsborough County administrators.  Cadet Alamo is a graduate of the National Flight Academy. His post highschool plans are to attend the Airforce Academy. In recognition of his efforts, leadership and accomplishments, Cadet Sergeants Major William Alamo III is awarded the Distinguished Cadet award (N-1-1), one of the highest JROTC awards possible.

Cadet Major Marie Gabriel. Cadet Gabriel is the Personnel Manager of the Sumner Highschool Stingray Battalion. Cadet Gabriel is a fervent member of the command team and manages all personnel actions to include awards, decorations, promotion orders and staffing support. Cadet Gabriel has devised a record keeping system that tracks all policies, procedures, consent forms and dress codes. Cadet Gabriel is active in the color guard and the flag detail. Cadet Gabriel is also responsible for the planning and execution of the Military Ball and Awards Night. Both of these are major events that require a lot of time and effort as well as staff coordination with other sections. Cadet Gabriel will be conducting a class for all cadets on etiquette, military customs and courtesies, as well as managing military organizational awards from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Army Special Forces and others. For her dedication to the JROTC program, attention to detail and superior management abilities, Cadet Major Marie Gabriel is awarded the Senior Army Instructor  Leadership Award (N-3-1).

Cadet Captain Frank White. Cadet White has been the backbone of the Supply and logistics section. He has devoted a tremendous amount of time organizing and cataloging all cadet uniforms worn in both garrison and field environments. The JROTC program recently received new uniforms, shoes, socks, T-shirts, belts etc. totaling over 85 thousand dollars of taxpayer funds. Cadet White has been steadfast in his records keeping, inventory sheets, hand receipts and outfitting each cadet. Cadet White has come before and stayed long after school is over to get the job done. Cadet white has a calm yet determined manner putting mission first over all other tasks. Cadet White has participated in all formations, activities, fund raisers and leadership training offered. Cadet White is a subject matter expert on supply and logistics at the JROTC level and is often requested to assist other cadets because of his knowledge and follow-through. In light of these qualities and demonstrated leadership abilities, Cadet Frank White is awarded the Senior Army Instructor Leadership award (N-3-1).

Cadet Major Annahi Heredia. Cadet Heredia is the Stingray Battalion Comptroller (S-8). This is a very stressful and demanding staff position requiring unwavering attention to detail as well as the ability to make mathematical computations rapidly. Cadet Heredia manages both cash and electronic transactions for athletic events like football parking activities, fund raisers and donations to the program. Cadet Heredia is one of the first cadets in the Stingray Battalion and has dedicated four years of her life contributing to the building of the program. Cadet Heredia has an outstanding memory for details about the program and has been instrumental in the continuity of the program as Army Instructors came and left the program. Cadet Heredia manages a staff of 9 other cadets on the S-8 staff, and is key in the training and employment of her staff. Cadet Heredia has managed thousands of dollars with zero defects. She has managed budgets and contracts with outside vendors and reviews all actions with the senior staff instructors (LTC Aycock and CW4 Blake). Cadet Heredia is flexible and always ready to assist other staff sections. She has a take charge attitude and does not hesitate to make on the spot corrections when she sees something wrong. Cadet Heredia’s leadership has been outstanding. In light of these demonstrated leadership qualities and her dedication to the Sumner Highschool Stingray Battalion, Cadet Major Annahi Heredia is awarded the Distinguished Cadet Award (N-1-1).

Cadet Sergeant First Class Firdaws Ezekiel. Cadet Ezekiel is the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Honor Guard. She is responsible for the posting and retrieval of colors at all internal and external JROTC activities. She insures that training is conducted on drill and ceremonies, and that Honor Guard members present themselves in a neat and professional manner. Cadet Ezekiel has boundless energy for the JROTC program and can be counted on to get the job done. She was instrumental in building the Cadet Garden, working out in temperatures over 100 degrees in the hot and humid Florida sun. Cadet Ezekiel also attended the Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge over the summer. She endured long hours in an environment designed to stress cadets mentally, physically and emotionally. Many Cadets were not able to complete this challenge, but Cadet Ezekiel and other Sumner Cadets excelled, with many receiving top awards. Cadet Ezekiel has demonstrated outstanding growth in the program and is poised for positions of greater scope and responsibility. In light of her demonstrated leadership abilities and her dedication to the Sumner Highschool Stingray Battalion, Cadet Firdaws Ezekiel is awarded the Senior Army Instructor Leadership Award (N-1-1).