Local ROTC cadets receive honors in leadership training

Several Cypress Woods High School students enrolled in the Air Force Junior ROTC program earned top honors in the Summer Leadership Training Program at Prairie View A&M University in June.

Among more than 375 students from Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, Cypress Woods students Nicholas Clark, Andrew Ficalora, Michael Shirley and Devin Wilkins each earned the Distinguished Cadet award, according to a press release. Ficalora also earned the Willie A. Tempton Award as the top overall graduate of the summer leadership schools.

"As students we had to demonstrate great leadership qualities and set a positive overall example to other students and instructors," he said in the press release.

The cadets experienced five days of training on military drill, academics, physical training and personal inspections. Instructors from other units graded the cadets on their performance and chose the winners of the awards.

"We sent a great group of kids to the encampment, and earning the top award was a great reflection on our corps and Cypress Woods High School," said Maj. Sgt. Edward Bryant, Cypress Woods aerospace science instructor and AFJROTC sponsor, in the press release.

Prairie View A&M University is located at FM 1098 Road and University Drive in Prairie View.

Cypress Woods High School is located at 16825 Spring Cypress Road in Cypress.

For more information, call 281-213-1800 or visit www.schools.cfisd.net/cywoods.