By PAM SCHIFF

In Cranston East’s auditorium on May 20, the room was filled with uniformed student cadets and proud family members watching their loved ones receive well deserved awards and accolades.

Cadets played the National Anthem while the Color Guard presented the colors.

For Lt. Colonel retired John Murray, this was the 14th ceremony he has presided over. Before starting the awards presentations, Murray read a list of sponsors and supporters who make the ceremony possible every year.

“It has been 36 months since we did a ceremony in person. I am looking forward to getting back on track and to some sense of normalcy,” said Murray.

Murray went on to explain how the cadets were chosen for the awards.

“These young men and women have gone above and beyond our expectations and have excelled as Army JROTC Cadets. This year, they are recognized as some of what the 33rd Corps of Cadets has to offer,” Murray said.

The awards were separated into three categories: Unit Level, Academic Achievement and Leadership and Character awards.

Before awards were passed out, the corps presented the school with a class gift.

“In 2005, the JROTC Armed Exhibition Drill Team competed at the National Level. In fact, they won that competition,” Murray said.

Cadets came out and presented the banner that will hang in the gymnasium alongside the school’s other championship banners.

The freshman led Alpha Company won both awards for Unit Level -- the Best in Drill and Best in Academics.

The academic awards were led off with the Best Cadet Command Essays. This year’s theme was “Selfless Service in a Pandemic.” Winners were freshman Danny Song, sophomore Imani Machado, junior Isabella Ba and senior Gerardo Gonzalez; Song’s essay competed at Fort Dix in a national competition.

Cadets with the highest GPAs for each class were freshman Danny Song, sophomore Busra Can, junior Isaac Barbosa and senior Zhou Lei.

The next award was not only the third highest award a cadet could earn, but came with a bar pre-set very high.

“Here’s a little piece of trivia. Until today, for the past four years, this award was earned by one cadet: Jennifer Dominguez. This year’s Distinguished Cadet Award Medal is presented to Danny Song,” Murray said.

The cadets who received the National Honor Society Medal were Julia Babalato, Isabella Ba, Alexia Francisco, Isaac Barbosa, Alexis Franco, Ariana Costa, Samantha Arevalo and Brady Robinson.

The last award in this category was the one Murray was looking forward to the most.

“In all honesty, I had a great deal of confidence in Command Sergeant Major Moniz, but I was a little skeptical whether he could pull off this initiative or not. But, I think he has with pretty outstanding results,” Murray said.

Cranston East had more cadets complete this academic program than any other school in -- not only the country -- but the entire world.

“This year, the cadets who earned the Unarmed Aerial Vehicle Flight Wings were Adrian Rosales, Ray Melendez, Hamza Al-Tarazi, Bunthra Chuon, Alexis Franco, Jonathan Quiroa, Shou Jun Shi and Danny Song.

Murray gave a brief description of each organization and its history as he announced the cadets receiving the next category of awards.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Award was given to Jonathan Quiroa for achievement and to Bethanie Jean-Philippe for leadership.

The American Legion Awards were given to Cristy Juaraz Linares for military excellence and to Samantha Vernancio for academic excellence.

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War gave their awards to Ray Melendez Montero and Euan Lorenzo Flor.

Alexis Austin received the Military Officer Association of America award.

The Military Order of Foreign Wars of the U.S. presented their awards to Sho Jun Shi and Jeremiah Martinez.

The Scottish Rite of Free Masonry award was given to Naomi Costa.

Imani Machado received the National Sojourners award. 

The Military Order of the Purple Heart was presented to Ansony Chavarria Luis.

Adrian Rosales-Lopez, Harlenys Lopez, Alexiah Francisco and Zhou Lei all earned the Army Warrant Officer Association Award.

The Non-Commissioned Officer Association was given to Hamza Al-Tarazi.

Isabella Ba was awarded the Reserve Officer Assocation Award.

The Military Order of World Wars gave Jayda Jean-Fancois their award.

The AUSA (Association of the U.S. Army) presented their honors to Isaac Barbosa and Zhon “Jaymond” Lei.

Alexis Franco received the State Award from the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Unit Award went to Victor Alonzo.

The Daughters of the American Revolution honored Amaya Cabral.

The Order of the Daedalion went to Adrian Rosales-Lopez.

RI Army National Guard Award was given to Alexander Irizarry.

J’ly Khea and Julia Avril Babalato received the U.S. Army Recruting Command Award.

The Vietnam Veterans gave their award to Ariana Costa.

The last award of the ceremony was given to Alexis Franco from the Special Forces Association.