Elizabethtown Area High School (EAHS) celebrated the achievements of its Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) cadets at the annual NNDCC Award Ceremony held on May 8. The event recognized cadets who demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, academics, personal appearance and military bearing throughout the program.

 The NNDCC program serves as a precursor to the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program. EAHS is among a select few schools in the Commonwealth to offer the NNDCC program, providing students with opportunities to develop citizenship values, a sense of responsibility and a commitment to serving the United States.

Cadets participating in the NNDCC program, spanning ninth through 12th grades, engage in a comprehensive, four-course curriculum covering topics such as civics, national security affairs, oceanography and technology. Complementing the classroom curriculum are various leadership activities, community service projects and military-connected initiatives throughout the academic year.

Retired Naval serviceman Michael Wilkinson is Elizabethtown Area High School's naval science instructor and faculty adviser for the NNDCC program.

 The ceremony recognized the following outstanding cadets and their achievements. Gracie Woodring received the Daedalian Award, recognizing patriotism, love of country, academic excellence and leadership potential, and the National Sojourners Award for academic excellence, leadership potential and demonstration of Americanism. Austin Howes was the recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal for outstanding ability and achievement in NJROTC, showcasing loyalty, patriotism and leadership; the Scottish Rite Award for promoting Americanism, academic excellence and outstanding leadership; and the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Medal for exemplifying the core values of the VVA.

Also recognized were Nickolas Ellison and Stephanie Hall, receiving the Marine Corps League Award for exemplary service to the unit and demonstrating leadership potential, and Lily-Ahna Glover, recipient of the Military Order of the World Wars Medal for embodying patriotism, good citizenship and service to the nation; the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Award for demonstrating commitment to American citizenship and patriotism; and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Award for leadership ability and positive contributions to JROTC.

 Also, Jaysen Hippensteel, the Reserve Organization of America Award for meritorious contribution to national defense studies; Nickolas Ellison and Joshua English, the Stephen Decatur Award from the Surface Navy Association for reflecting the Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment; Stephen Polizzi, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Award for outstanding achievement and exemplary leadership; and Garrett Garber, the Spirit of America Youth Leadership Award presented by the Masonic Village Sojourners for exhibiting significant contributions that exemplify the American democratic spirit.