By Dayana Pedraza
Senior Chief McMaster and Chief Constant presided over the change of command for the ROTC cadets, bringing the 2019-2020 school year to a close, but optimistically opening the 2020-2021 school year. Of course, with the schools being closed due to the quarantine, the change of command was held virtually. It was conducted as a Zoom meeting, produced by Chief Quito and narrated by Chief Diaz.
What is the Change of Command? It is a time-honored tradition in the Armed Forces, which is encouraged in the ROTC program as well. In the NJROTC program, throughout the year, all cadets are encouraged and expected to show their leadership, dedication, and professionalism in every aspect of their lives.
The following cadets have completed all four years of ROTC, which demonstrates leadership, dedication and citizenship:
- Arlynn Aguilar
- Kevin Aldana
- Cindhy Almonte
- Randy Apolinario
- Emalani Bonilla
- Michael Brito
- Melissa Castillo
- Jacqueline Cortes
- Meriann Cruz
- Nayeli Cruz
- Jianna Delarosa
- Nereyda Delgado
- Floribel Disla
- Juliana Disla
- Briana Duarte
- Gabriela Farfan
- Julie Figueroa
- Yamile Frias
- Mauricio Fruitis
- Jennifer Garcia
- Gila Gershman
- Aislin Hernandez
- Hector Hernandez
- Guadalupe Jimenez
- Joshua Jimenez
- Johannie Jiminian
- Darina Martinez
- Denisse Mendez
- Jenny Mendoza
- Joshua Morales
- Diary Moya
- Adalgisa Nayeli
- Caterin Palacios
- Nelson Par Gonzalez
- Mathew Polanco
- Samira Pozo
- Jordi Robles
- Jazmarie Rojas
- Jessenia Roman
- Jenssix Roman
- Dayanara Sandoval
- Joshua Sanchez
- William Salas
- Daisy Sanchez
- Leslie Taveras
- Cynthia Tepale
- Emely Tepale
- Rosa Tlacomulco
- Jose Vasquez
As the end of the school year approaches, the leaders take time to recognize current senior cadets who have led from the front and the incoming seniors who will take their place. The ceremony in which the new seniors take over the program is called the Change of Command. This ceremony ensures the continuity of unit leadership, cohesiveness, and a rite of passage for all the12th grade cadets.
Cadet Hector Hernandez received a Navy ROTC Preparatory scholarship to Tuskegee University.
Some cadets were recognized for the Leadership and Citizenship Award. This award is for those cadets who demonstrate the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. These cadets motivate and take charge of a team in the successful completion of a mission. Cadet Dairy Moya was recognized for her role as Regimental Commanding Officer and Unarmed Exhibition Drill Team Commander. Cadet Floribel Disla for Unarmed Regulation Drill Team Commander, was recognized. Cadet Hector Hernandez was reconized for his role as Athletic Team Commander. Cadet Briana Duarte was recognized for her role as the Academic Team Commander.
Other awards were presented, virtually, as well. Cadet Gabriela Farfan was awarded the the 2020 Senior Distiguished Cadet Award. Only one cadet per year gets this award and it is for someone who combined excellence in both academics and and also NJROTC unit activities. Gabriela balanced academics (not an easy feat this year) along with homework, physical fitness, community service, drilling and other unit activities. Congratulations Cadet Farfan.
Speaking of academic excellence, the cadet with the highest overall academic achievement in GPA in school as well as in ROTC classes was Cadet Melissa Castillo, who was awarded the Senior Honor Cadet Award.
Dairy Moya and Floribel Disla have both enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard.
Some cadets are going to continue their service in the armed forces. Dairy Moya and Floribel Disla have both enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard. Good luck to them and thank you for your service to our nation.
The ROTC command and all of PHS are proud of Cadet Hector Hernandez who received a Navy ROTC Preparatory scholarship to Tuskegee University. He is well on his way to become a future commissioned naval officer.
Finally, the new leadership team is relieving the previous team. They have some big shoes to fill, but they are up to the task.
For the First Battalion:
Senior Enlisted Advisor, Cadet Grishma Rana is relieved by Cadet Hugo Merino.
Executive Officer, Cadet Randy Apolinario is relieved by Cadet Denise Suarez.
Commanding Officer, Cadet Willima Salas is relieved by Cadet Brittany Salazar.
The Second Battalion:
Senior Enlisted Advisor, Cadet Jenssix Roman is relieved by Cadet Benjamin Bonilla.
Executive Officer, Cadet Joshua Jimenez is relieved by Darlin Polanco.
Commanding Officer, Cadet Gila Gershman is relieved by Cadet Tyrese May.
For the Regimental Staff, which is the top four leadership positions in NJROTC:
Regimental Command Master Chief, Cadet Jose Vasquez is relieved by Cadet Juan Orozco.
Regimental Chaplain, Cadet Briana Duarte is relieved by Cadet Jocelin Carpinteyro.
Regimental Executive Officer, Cadet Floribel Disla is relieved by Cadet Steve Cedeno.
Regimental Commanding Officer, Cadet Dairy Moya is relieved by Cadet Jocelyn Pimentel.
Congratulations to all the new incoming command and thank you to those who are now graduating. The future of the NJROTC is certainly in good hands.
