On Monday, April 17, Brother Martin Principal, Mr. Ryan Gallagher ’00, Cmdr. Bruce Nolan ‘90, and Senior Chief Petty Officer Romico Barnes presided over the NJROTC 55th Annual Change of Command and Awards Ceremony in the backyard on the campus of Brother Martin High School. The annual ceremony recognized outstanding cadets for their dedication to the Brother Martin NJROTC program this year. The ceremony started with an invitation for family, friends, and faculty to “pin on” the new ranks of Officers and Chief Petty Officers. The ceremony also followed a traditional military formation of gathering troops and presenting cadets to the reviewing officers and guests. Cadets were honored with awards for service from 18 military and community groups. Representatives from military organizations and supporters presented awards to cadets that excelled in leadership, participation, and academics.
The service awards started with the presentation of three scholarships for $2,000 each to current juniors returning to NJROTC next year. Cadets Enzo Antonio Foster ‘24, Sean Lagrange ‘24, and Dominick Maddie ‘24 won the American Legion Ed Brauner Post 307 - Bill Detweiler Memorial Scholarship for displaying the highest qualities of leadership, character, scholastic achievement, service in school and community, citizenship, patriotic values, and mentoring younger students.
The final award was presented on behalf of the Fontan family to Cadet Eli Schexnayder ‘27 as the 2023 Cadet of the Year. The Fontan Leadership and Courage awards go to the underclass cadet that distinguished themself as a leader amongst first-year cadets through superior academic performance, participation, and leadership. His academic excellence put him in the lead and exemplified the ideals of the NJROTC and Brother Martin.
The ceremony concluded with a Change of Command for all of the leadership positions. Mr. Gallagher and Cmdr. Nolan presented a commemorative plaque to the outgoing Commanding Officer, Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Lennox Brown ‘23. As the start of a new tradition, they presented him the US flag flown on the Fontan Flagpole this school year.
Following Navy Tradition, Cmdr. Nolan ordered the new leaders to “Relieve the Watch.” Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Lennox Brown ‘23 then relinquished his position to the incoming Commanding Officer Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Sean Lagrange ‘24.
The seniors were then called forward with their parents and supporters to receive the Mr. John Parent Award, recognizing the dedication and assistance of the senior parents throughout their sons’ time in the Brother Martin NJROTC.
Mr. Gallagher spoke to the cadets about how the NJROTC seniors represent the ideals of Brother Martin. “There have only been 54 NJROTC staffs at Brother Martin. You are among the elite group of leaders that represent this school and the NJROTC program.” Bravo Zulu to the Class of 2023 and congratulations to our new leaders and award recipients!
2023-2024 NJROTC Leaders:
We would like to thank all of our retiring cadet officers for their hard work and dedication this year. Congratulations to our new officers - we look forward to your future accomplishments!
