Cadet Nicholas Brondum, a senior in the NJROTC Program, found out at the beginning of the summer that he was one of two Cadets in the NJROTC Area eight selected as the Top Junior. This prestigious award selects top Cadets from the 49 Area eight schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and part of Florida. Every school is invited to submit the Cadets at the end of their junior year and is based on Academic excellence, performance in the NJROTC program, performance at school and the community.
The real surprise happened recently when Nicholas was approved for the national award from the Legion of Valor, the Bronze Cross. Retired Marine Corps Colonel Terry Ebbert presented the award in a ceremony attended by NJROTC Cadets, school officials and Nicholas Brondum’s parents. “The Legion of Valor recognizes upcoming leaders in our community to take our place,” said Col. Ebbert. The Legion of Valor organization is comprised of members of the military who were awarded the highest recognitions for bravery, the Medal of Honor or the Service Cross. Col. Ebbert was awarded the Navy Cross for bravery in Vietnam, but continued to serve the New Orleans community in Emergency Management. He was the New Orleans Director of Homeland Security during Hurricane Katrina and currently runs a consulting company that trains and advises on Emergency Services. Recognition of leadership from such a distinguished organization sets this award apart. There are over 69,000 high school Cadets in Navy Junior ROTC programs throughout the country. Only 22 are selected for this award annually.
“Nicholas was the obvious choice for our school,” said retired Commander Bruce Nolan, ‘90, the Senior Naval Science Instructor at Brother Martin NJROTC. “His academic performance stands out immediately. His activities in and out of school, however, set him apart from the rest of the candidates.” Nicholas maintains a high grade point average in honors classes, but also sought out increasing levels of responsibility in the NJROTC program. His participation in quiz bowl and with the WWII museum’s annual forum, in addition to his performance as an Eagle Scout, demonstrate the ideals of citizenship and leadership that form the basis of the NJROTC program.
Nicholas plans to finish his Senior year strong and pursue a career in Emergency Management.
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