JROTC Cadets Spread Holiday Cheer

Four Van Buren High School JROTC cadets are doing their part to spread holiday cheer! 

Over Thanksgiving break in November, Cadets Curtis Burton, Lacie Eatmon, Jean Garcia, and Kadence Khamphouvong visited the Alma Nursing and Rehab Center. There, they discovered that dozens of angels on the facility's Angel Tree had not been claimed. The students took it upon themselves to adopt all 57 angels! 

They turned to their fellow JROTC cadets to join them in their mission to fulfill all of the wishlists. By December 13, presents for every angel had been returned. 

"All cadets came through with flying colors," said Van Buren JROTC Instructor 1SG(R) Gerald Phillips.

Today, the cadets returned to Alma Nursing and Rehab Center to grant wishes. As part of the group's Service Learning Project, the students are spending time at the center this week with residents. Cadets are painting fingernails, reading books, working puzzles, and interacting with seniors and patients. 

"These cadets are true examples of our Army Core Values-Selfless, Service and Honor," explained Phillips. "We have amazing students out there that are making positive impacts in the lives of others."

Thank you to Cadets Burton, Eatmon, Garcia, and Khamphouvong for taking the initiative to give back to our community and to all of the Van Buren JROTC participants who helped support this worthy endeavor!