Twelve Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students and their programs have been honored as part of the Better Business Bureau’s Ethical Cadet Scholarship Program.

The JROTC cadets come from Avondale, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek and Tolleson.

The cadets received scholarships for their leadership, character, commitment to service, and actions that go beyond the call of duty, according to a press release. The students were honored by the Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest, Salt River Project and the Phoenix Military and Veterans Commission Foundation.

Each cadet won a $1,000 scholarship, plus an additional $1,000 scholarship was awarded to their school’s JROTC program. The scholarships were funded by the BBB Pacific Southwest and SRP.

Now in its fifth year, the scholarship program has awarded $100,000 to local Arizona high school students and their JROTC programs.  

“My JROTC program has taught me how to lead and take charge, as well as how I can do things that can make a lasting impact on people’s lives. I was excited but also in disbelief because I didn’t expect to win a scholarship,” stated Kate Sackett of Basha High School in Chandler in the release.

Here sister, Lillian Sackett, also received a scholarship.

“I was truly in shock to win because five minutes before I got the phone call, my sister and I were already celebrating her accomplishment,” stated Lillian Sackett of Basha High School in Chandler in the release. “Being a BBB Ethical Cadet means a lot to me because of the contribution it provides to my JROTC program to make improvements and an impact in our community.”

The BBB Ethical Cadet Scholarship winners for the 2022-2023 school year are:

• Cory Brewer, Tolleson Union High School
• Ramiro Felix, Westview High School in Avondale
• Jake Johnson, Skyline High School in Mesa
• Kristina Lynn Mountz, Basha High School in Chandler
• Lorilynn Kehaulani Nixon, Basha High School in Chandler
• Kate Sackett, Basha High School in Chandler
• Lillian Sackett, Basha High School in Chandler
• Michael Shin, Hamilton High School in Chandler
• Ryann Terrell, Basha High School in Chandler
• Ryan Tran, Tolleson Union High School
• Taylani Tran, Basha High School in Chandler
• Jayden Anthony Weingarten, Queen Creek High School

“The $6,000 scholarship donated to our JROTC program will go toward providing unique opportunities for cadets to experience leadership and aerospace opportunities outside of the classroom.” stated Clifford Stansell, a retired U.S. Air Force officer and the Basha High School AFJROTC senior aerospace science instructor. “This includes field trips and equipment to expand their horizons in both the military and civilian aerospace worlds.”

Arizona high school students who were enrolled in a JROTC program within SRP’s service area, while maintaining a GPA of at least 2.75, were eligible to apply for the scholarship. Students submitted a recommendation letter from a JROTC staff member or school representative. 

Winners were selected based on their essay submission.  Winning essays explored the students' leadership, character and commitment to service.

Applications for next school year’s scholarships will open in August at cadet.bbbcommunity.org.