Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC) has been a program at Judson High School for 50 years this school year. Throughout its semi-centennial run, an abundance of scholarly and upstanding cadets have emerged from the program. The AFJROTC awards ceremony, held Thursday, April 17, 2025, celebrated these students and allowed the current leadership to pass the torch to the leaders of the 2025-2026 school year.

Multiple esteemed guests made an appearance, including the Superintendent of JISD, Dr. Milton Fields, the assistant principal of Judson High School, Mrs. Ericka Pope, the principal of JECA, Mrs. Angelica Guzman-Jeffrey, a representative from the American Legion Post 593, Mr. Don Rice, a representative from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sergeant Virginia Ulrich, a representative from the Military Order of the World Wars, Colonel Joseph Milligan, treasurer of the Military Officers Association of America, Colonel Vaughn Caudill, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2059, Commander Gilbert Deleon, representatives from the Sons of the American Revolution, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Watson and Chairman of the Committee, Michael Bowles, United States Air Force recruiter, Sergeant Tyler Vines, United States Navy recruiter, Petty Officer Lesley Rosales, United States Army recruiter, Sergeant Maileny Frett, United States Coast Guard recruiter, Petty Officer Jacob Lowery, and a representative from Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Chairman of the Committee, Ethel Willard-Crews. These guests assisted in giving students their respective awards.

The leaders of the AFJROTC Booster Club, Mrs. Imelda Longoria, Mrs. Mari Zeppenfeldt, Mrs. Mary-Ellen Massey-Williams, Mr. Mario Almanza, Mrs. Angie Black, and Mrs. Rebecca Valdivia were recognized as well.

The Judson AFJROTC Cadet Leadership, the 2024-2025 Cadets Top 5, Operational Squadron Commander, Cadet Major Joseph Copeland, Logistics Squadron Commander, Cadet Major Giavana Marquez, Support Squadron Commander, Cadet Major Yazmarie Torres-Matos, Executive Officer to the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor and Fall 2024-2025 Group Commander, Cadet Colonel Makaylin Davis, and Cadet Corps Spring 2024-2025 Group Commander, Cadet Colonel Alanah Price, were recognized.

Colonel Price made a speech, speaking on the 2024-2025 Cadets Top 5 passing the torch.

“As I pass the torch to the next top six, I do so with complete confidence in their abilities. I know they will lead this corps to new heights and accomplish wonders that will inspire us all. While they may not need luck, I wish them all the best as they embark in this exciting chapter. I have no doubt that they will continue to uphold the values and spirit that define our corps,” Colonel Price stated.

Cadet Davis And Cadet Price were bestowed Commanders Awards for their management of the corps.

Meeting certain requirements, such as academic standing and other respectable traits, multiple cadets won awards (and even scholarships!).

In addition to the Commander Award, Cadet Price also won the “Air Force Sergeants Association” award. 

Cadet Joseph Copeland won the “Semper Fidelis” award.

Cadet Oreoluwa Ologun won the “Celebrate Freedom Foundation” award.

Cadet Marilyn Flores won the “National Sojourners” award.

Cadet Priscilla Mata earned the “Sons of The American Revolution” bronze medal. 

Cadet Kyle Lowery won the “Freemasons of the Scottish Rite of San Antonio” award.

Cadet Yazmarie Torres-Matos won the “National Society United States Daughters of 1812” award.

Cadet Natalie Soto and Cadet Jaiden Larrick won the “Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated” award.

Cadet Nathan Garcia won the “Retired Enlisted Association” award.

Cadet Adrian Longoria won the “Air Commando Association Air Force Junior ROTC” award.

Cadet Adam Khan won the “American Legion Scholastic” award.

Cadet Giavana Marquez won the “Reserve Officers Association” award, the Absalon Scholarship, the Geffre Scholarship and the Baltazar Scholarship.

Cadets Aura Day and Haiden Thorp won the “American Veterans” award. Cadet Thorp also won the “Outstanding Second Year Cadet” award.

Cadet Ruben Pacheco won the “Military Order of the Purple Heart” and the “Outstanding First Year Cadet” awards.

Cadet Makaylin Davis won the “American Legion General Military Excellence” and the “Outstanding Fourth Year Cadet” awards.

Cadet Pearl Lucio won the “National Society Of The Daughters Of The American Revolution” award, was selected as the Logistics Squadron Commander and was promoted to Cadet Major.

Cadet Heavenly Longoria won the “Veterans of Foreign Wars” award, was selected as the Mission Squadron Commander and was promoted to Cadet Major.

Cadet Bryan Salgado won the “Military Officers Association of America” award, was selected as Operational Squadron Commander and was promoted to Cadet Major.

Cadet Naomi Williams won the “Air Force Association” award, was selected as Cadet Deputy Group Commander and was promoted to Cadet Lieutenant.

Cadet Erick Valdivia-Kahler won the “Order of Daedalians” and the “Outstanding Third Year Cadet” awards, earned the “Distinguished Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet” and the “Distinguished Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet” badges and was selected as Cadet Group Commander and promoted to Cadet Colonel.

Cadet Colonel Valdivia-Kahler made a speech about his promotion, expressing his gratitude for the people in his life helping him get to where he is now, as well as his goals for the corps.

“Without the assistance of my family, fellow cadets, and the remarkable instructors, I would not be here today. Thank you for guiding and supporting me throughout my AFJROTC journey… When I first joined AFJROTC, I wasn’t the cadet you see standing before you today. I was still adjusting to life in a new country, learning a new language, and trying to find my place. But this program gave me more than just structure—it gave me confidence, leadership, and a family of cadets who supported me through it all.

This past year, I pushed myself harder than ever to prepare for this occasion. There were moments of doubt, times when things didn’t go my way. But instead of letting those moments define me, I used them as motivation. I learned that setbacks aren’t the end of the road; they’re just obstacles to overcome. And that’s exactly what AFJROTC has taught me—to adapt, to persevere, and to keep striving for excellence.

Now, my goal is to push this corps forward—not just as a unit, but as a family. I want every cadet here to see their potential, to know that their hard work matters, and to understand that challenges do not define their future—just as other cadets taught me this as well.

To my fellow cadets—whether you’re just starting or have been here for years—know that your journey in this program will shape you in ways you never expected. You will face challenges, but you will also discover strengths you didn’t know you had. And through it all, this corps will be here to support you. As your new Corps Commander, I promise to lead with dedication, integrity, and a vision for a stronger, more united TX-91st. Let’s make this the year that TX-91 thrives—with future leaders and teamwork at its core.  Thank you.”