Brandon Lodge takes every opportunity to show support and encouragement to the youth in the community. Ed Ciesla, Exalted Ruler, was pleased to accept the invitation as the honored guest to the Middleton Magnet High School’s AFJROTC award ceremony April 20. AFJROTC cadets are chosen for the award based on their academic achievements, involvement in community service and exceeding JROTC standards in dress and appearance. Robin Rutzke, Senior Master Sergeant (ret) Air Force, noncommissioned officer for the JROTC and Lodge Veterans Chair, helped organize the ceremony along with Major Daniel P. Pagano (ret). Ciesla presented the JROTC Elk medal and the Grand Lodge JROTC certificate along with the added surprise of a $100 Visa gift card to Cadet Josmary Valiente for her exceptional performance and dedication to JROTC. Major Pagano, senior aerospace science instructor, said in his thank you letter to the lodge, “The participation of representatives from the award benefactors, like the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, only makes this event more special in the eyes of the cadets as their accomplishments are not just recognized by the instructors but also by people and organizations outside the school district. As a low-income Title 1 high school, we want to expose our cadets to various opportunities and recognitions that are available to them if they put in hard work, whether academically, extra-curriculars or supporting the local community. The extra work can lead to so much more — self-confidence, recognition from peers and parents, scholarship, or other opportunities as they graduate and move in the work force or higher education. Ultimately, the goal of our program and these awards is to help develop citizenship, character and patriotism.” On April 28, Ciesla went to Brandon High School to award Cadet Lance Vellegas of the Army JROTC the JROTC Elk medal, Grand Lodge JROTC certificate and a $100 Visa gift card to also acknowledge his exceptional performance and dedication to JROTC.
Pictured are Ed Ciesla, Exalted Ruler, and Cadet Josmary Valiente.