
MINT HILL, NC – The AFJROTC Squadron at Independence High School had their 2021-2022 Annual Awards Ceremony celebrating their cadets who have earned recognition for excellence. These awards are given to selected cadets whose hard work, dedication, and commitment to being the best they can be in the program in the areas of academics, military preparedness, leadership, community service, and many other positive aspects of the program that builds character, teamwork, and self-discipline.

This academic school year honors go to the following cadets:
Director of Military Instruction Certificate of Commendation – Cadet Colonel Calvin Saia
CMS JROTC Leadership Excellence Award for NC022 – Cadet Lt Colonel Andrew Whetstone
CMS JROTC Scholastic Excellence Award for NC-022 – Cadet Captain Ava Son
CMS Excellence in Citizenship Award for NC-022 – Cadet Major David Yagodzinskiy
The Non-Commissioned Officer Association Award – Cadet Luke Von Kaenel
OUSTANDING AFJROTC Cadet by Year:
Aerospace Science (AS 100) – Cadet MSgt Lily Todd, Cadet Katherine Kafitz
Aerospace Science (AS 200) – Cadet Amanda Baez
Aerospace Science (AS 300) – Cadet Alyssa Bui/ Cadet Luke Von Kaenel
Aerospace Science (AS 400) – Cadet Calvin Saia
Distinguished Cadet Award –Â Â Cadet Andrew Whetstone
Air Force Association Award – Cadet Calvin Saia
American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award – Cadet Lilly Todd
American Legion Military Excellence Award – Cadet Andrew Whetstone
Daedalian Award – Cadet Berina Rucic
Daughters of the American Revolution Award – Cadet Ava Son
The Military Officers Association of America Award – Cadet Abigail Cholewinski
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Association Award – Cadet Camilla Alonzo

Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction Award – Cadet Rebecca Dean/ Cadet Charles Robison
The Sons of the American Revolution Award – Cadet Andrew Whetstone
The Tuskegee Airmen Award – Cadet MSgt Savannah Silva/Cadet Miles Benson
The Air Commando Award – Cadet Alexander Martinez
The Mint Hill Times would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all these fine young cadets for their outstanding achievements.