The Mooseheart community packed the Fieldhouse Friday afternoon, May 5 to observe the 33rd annual NJROTC Awards and Change of Command Ceremony.

Mooseheart staff, along with distinguished guests from local organizations that provide support to the Mooseheart Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program presented awards and service ribbons that recognized cadets who have demonstrated a high degree of loyalty, leadership, aptitude and dedication to duty in accordance with the tenants of the NJROTC program.

Guests were also treated to impressive displays of marches and drills by the cadets, followed by outgoing Company Commander Sergio Mazon passing his sword on to new Commander Nic Grasty.

The awards and their recipients were:

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Award:
Junior class recipient: Rachelle Cross - Batavia, IL Lodge 682
Sophomore class recipient: Carmen Avila - Galion, OH Lodge 303
Freshman class recipient: Christopher Cole - Salisbury, MD Lodge 654

The West Suburban Chapter of the Military Officer's Association Medal:
Andy Greenaway - Medina, OH Lodge 647

American Veteran's Award:
Special Aptitude Plaque: Mary Muns - Indianapolis, IN Lodge 17

Junior class recipients:
Arturo Fernandez - Chicago SW Lodge 44
Chris Fitzgerald - Batavia, IL Lodge 682

Sophomore class recipients:
Kirsten Bredesen - Naperville, IL Lodge 1290
Basheeba Mays - Chicago SW Lodge 44

Sons of the American Revolution Award:
Robert Picker - Willow Glen, CA Lodge 2255

Daughters of the American Revolution Award:
Darlene Dillard - Klammath Falls, OR Lodge 1106

Illinois Chapter of the Sons of the Union Veteran's of the Civil War Award:
Mark Crow - Chicago SW Lodge 44

National Sojourners Award:
Renee Dillard - Klammath Falls, OR Lodge 1106

Navy League Medal:
Chris Barnard - Brooksville, FL Lodge 1676

Non-Commissioned Officers Association Medal:
Brandon Bouck - Pahrump, NV Lodge 808

Surface Navy Association's Stephen Decatur Award:
Ethan Grasty - Hillsborough, NC Lodge 1893
Ali Sly - North Hillsboro, FL Lodge 1741

Military Order of the Purple Heart Award:
Stephen Pinto - Sacramento, CA Lodge 1020

Daedalian Award:
Nic Grasty - Hillsborough, NC Lodge 1893

Award of Honor Platoon:
Andy Greenaway - Medina, OH Lodge 647

Director General's Award:
Senior recipient: Cecilia Tobias - Berwyn, IL Lodge 424
Junior class recipient: Arturo Fernandez - Chicago SW Lodge 44
Sophomore class recipient: Kirsten Bredesen - Naperville, IL Lodge 1290
Freshman class recipient: Chris Cole - Salisbury, MD Lodge 654

Distinguished Cadet Ribbons:
Senior class recipient: Darlene Dillard - Klammath Falls, OR Lodge 1106
Junior class recipient: Stephen Pinto - Sacramento, CA Lodge 1020
Sophomore class recipient: Jake Stegeman - Bloomington, IL Lodge 745
Freshman Class Recipient: Krystal Ellsworth - Medina Valley, TX Lodge 2196

Outgoing Company Commander Award:
Sergio Mazon - Chicago SW Lodge 44

Director General William B. Airey presented the Director General's Award in recognition of Honor Cadets. This award is given to one cadet in each year group that has achieved highest academic standards and also demonstrates dedication to the NJROTC Program. Back row from left: Airey, Chris Cole, Kirsten Bredesen. Front row: Arturo Fernandez and Cecilia Tobias.
Junior Stephen Pinto and the armed drill team dazzled the Fieldhouse audience with their impressive maneuvers.
Rachelle Cross was the junior class recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1197 in Batavia's award recognizing cadets that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and military bearing. Handing Cross the award are veterans Mark Meyer (left) and Bill Hughes.
Eighth-grader Platoon Leader Damion Moore conducts a drill as his troop is welcomed into the ranks of the NJROTC.

Mooseheart Band Director Stephen Schmidt and trumpeters opened the ceremony by performing the national anthem.

NJROTC Commander Doug Groters explained to the outgoing cadets about how their successes and discipline learned during the last four years will help them in future successes.

Senior Sergio Mazon (right) passes the command sword to signify the symbolic turnover of command to Junior Nic Grasty.

Senior Sergio Mazon (rights) pins the new rank of Company Commander on Nic Grasty

Sophomore Andy Greenaway received the award of Honor platoon from Superintendent of Education Gary Urwiler. The award is presented to the platoon that demonstrates the best overall leadership, military aptitude and excellence in all areas of the program.