ST. GEORGE — Two local Air Force Junior ROTC cadets recently were awarded for their exemplary achievements by the Color Country Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
According to a news release, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has “acknowledged the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program as a vital source for supplying trained officers to the armed forces.” That tradition continued May 9 with the recognition of Southern Utah cadets Johanna “Joey” Blevin and Cadet Lyssa Sperry.
There are two Air Force Junior ROTC programs currently operating in Washington County: Dixie High School since 2006 and Pine View High School since 2017. The unit commander and/or senior leadership team from each school is charged with selecting the cadet who meets the eligibility requirements set forth by the National Society DAR.
Color Country Chapter had the honor of awarding DAR JROTC medals and certificates to these two outstanding cadets at ceremonies recently conducted at both schools.
Blevins is a graduating senior from Crimson Cliffs High School. She recently relinquished command as Pine View’s AFJROTC Plans Squadron Commander in an Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program consisting of 200 cadets, the news release said.
Under her command, the unit performed over 200 community events including marching in parades, planning and executing first-class military functions, raising funds, performing community service to the tune of over 7,600 hours and traveling across the country on multiple trips.
Blevins is the recipient of multiple scholarships, including the coveted AFJROTC J-100 scholarship. This is a four-year, full tuition, room and board scholarship only offered to 100 AFJROTC cadets from around the world. She was also the recipient of a $25,000 AFJROTC Flight Academy scholarship to acquire her private pilot’s license during the summer break.
Blevins had to decline both scholarship opportunities so she could accept her $500,000 appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy where she will report in June. She has a 3.9 cumulative GPA and swam competitively for four years for Crimson Cliffs High School. She plans to become a military aviator and fly jet aircraft.
Sperry is a senior and has been part of the Dixie High School Air Force JROTC program for all four years of high school. Her accomplishments and involvement in AFJROTC are exemplary, having received the Veterans of Foreign Wars national award in 2023 and the National Society United States Daughters 1812 award in 2022.
She is a natural leader and has had a very positive influence in her classes and during after-school activities and events. Her leadership was instrumental in the unit receiving the Distinguished and Outstanding Unit awards. Her accolades also include receiving the Superior Performer, Academic, and Good Conduct awards.
Sperry is also a vital member of the unit’s Raiders fitness team, which finished third at the annual obstacle course challenge, bolstering an overall first place for the program. Additionally, she was a crucial member of the armed military drill team, which garnered first places in inspection and regulation categories during the 2024 state competition in March — the best in finish 10 years.
Finally, this year, her positive attitude, leadership and tenacity had a positive impact on our unit which led to 18 “Exceeds Standards” during the headquarters evaluation — the most the inspector had seen to date.
Operating under DAR’s National Defense Committee, chapters and state societies may honor top-performing cadets involved in local ROTC programs at high schools, junior colleges or universities across the United States. Exceptional high school cadets are awarded the DAR ROTC bronze medal, while graduating college or university students being commissioned in the U.S. armed forces receive the DAR ROTC gold medal.
Recipients must rank in the top 25% of their ROTC classes and academic subjects. Furthermore, they must demonstrate qualities such as dependability, good character, adherence to military discipline, leadership skills and a strong patriotic appreciation for ROTC training. At the high school level, juniors or seniors can be considered for this recognition. Only one cadet per school may be selected.
Over 400 local youth participated in Air Force JROTC programs in Washington County this past year. Those interested in learning more about the AFJROTC program for the upcoming school year should contact one of the following commanders:
- Desert Hills and Snow Canyon, grades 8-12: [email protected] Dixie High School AFJROTC program.
- Hurricane and Crimson Cliffs, grades 9-12: [email protected] Pine View High School AFJROTC program.