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By Jim DesJardin, LTC, USA (Ret), Chairman, MOAACC Student Affairs

At our May luncheon, the MOAACC’s Student Affairs Committee had the honor of hosting and recognizing fourteen outstanding young men and women who have earned appointments to our nation’s Military Academies or received Senior ROTC scholarships. Their achievements reflect exceptional academic performance, leadership ability, physical fitness, and a strong commitment to serving our nation, their schools and their communities.

These students exemplify the Scholar-Athlete-Leader (SAL) model emphasized by our Military Academies and Senior ROTC programs. Collectively, they have excelled in the classroom—many maintaining GPAs of 4.0 or higher—while also demonstrating athletic excellence through varsity sports participation, team captaincies, and individual athletic accomplishments. Most importantly, they have shown the character and leadership potential required for one of the most demanding and honorable professions in our nation: military service.

The luncheon was well attended by community leaders, including Superintendent Dr. Rendell, members of the School Board, parents and friends of the honorees, and many MOAACC members. Each student received an MOAACC Certificate of Excellence and an MOAACC Challenge Coin. The presentations were made by Chapter President Rosa Reich, Superintendent Dr. Rendell, and Donn Weaver, President of Good Deeds.

The following students were honored:

• Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School – Rylan Reyes, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
• Eau Gallie High School – Thomas Good, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy; T’Mari Bowe, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
• Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School – Preston Ratliff, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of Miami
• Melbourne Central Catholic High School – Joseph Colombo, appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point
• Merritt Island High School – Nathan Oglesby, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Auburn University; Garrett Hall, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Haley Underwood, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Georgia Military College; Ryan Gregorie, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of South Florida
• Rockledge High School – Ausha Daniels, Senior ROTC Scholarship to Georgia Military College
• Satellite High School – Thor Kopenkoskey, appointment to the United States Air Force Academy
• Viera High School – Luke Rodgers, Senior Air Force ROTC Scholarship to Purdue University
• West Shore Jr./Sr. High School – Pleasant Lewis, Senior ROTC Scholarship to the University of South Florida; Jacob Fine, appointment to the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School

These students are entering a profession pursued by fewer than one percent of their peers nationwide. Their accomplishments demonstrate what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, leadership, and a commitment to service. MOAACC proudly congratulates each of these future leaders and wishes them continued success as they begin their journeys of service to our nation.