December 12, 2024
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Department of Military Science hosted the Fall 2024 Awards Ceremony for the 75th Demon Battalion. ROTC’s mission is to recruit, educate, develop and inspire cadets with an emphasis on academics. The program recognized accomplishments cadets achieved during the fall semester. Awards are as follows.
The program began with academic honors. Cadets named to the President’s List for a perfect 4.0 grade point average were Cadets Demarkus Lawson, Brandon Campbell, Grace Kerney, Colton Wood, Caitlin Moak and Mariah Morris.
Lawson received ROTC Honors for a 4.0 in military science courses and the PMS Scholastic Excellence Award. Campbell, Kerney and Wood received ROTC Honors, the PMS Scholastic Excellence Award and the Cadet Recruiting Ribbon.
Cadets named to the Dean’s List for a 3.5-3.99 grade point average were Cadets Jan Amutan, Caiden Matthews, Todd Gladish, who received ROTC Honors and the PMS Scholastic Excellence Award. Matthews received the Cadet Recruiting Ribbon and Leadership Excellence Award.
Departmental awards went to Cadets Christian Holmes, Leadership Excellence Award and Cadet Recruiting Ribbon; Jaylon James, Cadet Scholar Award; Ethan Jones, ROTC Honors, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon and PMS Academic Medal; Layla Theriot, ROTC Honors, Cadet Scholar Award, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon and PMS Commendation Medal; Lawson Turner, ROTC Honors, Cadet Honors Award, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon, Leadership Excellence Award and the PMS Commendation Medal; Kyra Cole, PMS Commendation Medal; Cadet Miguel Flores, ROTC Honors and the Cadet Honors Award; Megan Franchino, ROTC Honors, Cadet Honors Award, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon and Leadership Excellence Award; Camryn Huff, ROTC Honors, Cadet Scholar, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon, Leadership Excellence Award and PMS Achievement Medal; Angelina Jones, ROTC Honors, the Cadet Honors Award and PMS Scholastic Excellence Award; Jemena Leopoldo; Cadet Recruiting Ribbon; Miriam McDaniel, ROTC Honors and PMS Commendation Medal; Jacob Mullican, ROTC Honors, Cadet Scholars Award, PMS Scholastic Excellence Award, Cadet Recruiting Ribbon, and Leadership Excellence Award; Molly Stelly, ROTC Honors and Cadet Recruiting Ribbon.
PMS Recruiting Awards went to Cadets Layla Theriot, Kyra Cole, Tin Huynh and Lanai Miller.
PMS Commendation Medals were awarded to freshmen for efforts to improve the ROTC program. They were Cadets Eric Cao, Mia Cole, Joao Dos Santos, William Moore and Destiny Theriot. Cole also received the Leadership Excellence Award.
PMS PT Attendance Awards went to Cadets Caiden Matthews, Layla Theriot, Camryn Huff, Grace Kerney, Jacob Mullican, Brendan Campbell, Megan Franchino, Joao Dos Santos, William Moore, Destiny Theriot and Colton Wood.
The Army Combat Fitness Test assesses endurance while helping to maintain Soldiers’ physical and mental well-being. Those who scored in the top of the cohort earn the Cadet Command Athletic Award were Gold Medal Athletes Miguel Flores, Jacob Mullican and Joao Dos Santos; Silver Medal Athletes Jaylon James, Damarkus Lawson, Kyra Cole and Megan Franchino and Bronze Medal Athlete Ethan Jones. Cadet William Moore earned the PMS Athletic Award.
Cadet Miguel Flores was issued the Oath of Enlistment during the program. When students first enroll in an ROTC class, they have no military obligation. By choosing to contract, cadets demonstrate their desire to serve a higher purpose through the Army.
Battalion Awards were presented as follows.
Outstanding Service Award went to cadets who contributed additional time and energy to social projects for the university and Demon Battalion. Those cadets were Cadets Layla Theriot, president of the Black Knights Recognized Student Organization;Camryn Huff, vice president; Grace Kerney, secretary, and Colton Wood, treasurer.
Color Guard Awards were presented to cadets who volunteered to serve on the Demon Battalion Color Guard, Color Sergeant Colton Wood, Eric Cao, Mia Cole, Megan Franchino, Christian Holmes, Camryn Huff, Tin Huynh, Caiden Matthews, Jacob Mullican,Layla Theriot, Kaleb Prince and Destiny Theriot. Prince is also received the Leadership Excellence Award.
Freshmen cadets who earned Cadet Recruiting Ribbons were Eric Cao, Mia Cole, Rebecca Deaton, Joao Dos Santos, Jaida Kelly, William Moore, Marivel Rodriguez and Destiny Theriot.
The Intramural Sports Recognition Award went to IM Coordinator Todd Gladish and teammates Megan Franchino, Camryn Huff, Jaylon James , Ethan Jones, Grace Kerney, Morgan Lee, Jacob Mullican, Kaleb Prince, Joao Dos Santos, Lawson Turner and Colton Wood. Prince also received the Leadership Excellence Award.
Ranger Challenge Team members were recognized for the competition that will take place in January. Ranger Challenge is a U.S. Army Cadet Command competition designed to challenge mental and physical toughness and to develop leadership while fostering teamwork. The Ranger Challenge team captain is Jacob Mullican. Team members are Brendan Campbell, Todd Gladish, Kaleb Prince, Ethan Jones, Colton Wood, Miguel Flores, Marivel Rodriguez, Megan Franchino, Rebecca Deaton, Camryn Huff, Eric Cao, Joao Dos Santos, Mia Cole, Tin Huynh, Destiny Theriot and Kyra Cole
The Black Knights Registered Student Organization plans events for the Demon Battalion, which this semester included water balloon wars, game night, pancake night, a cake decorating contest, a Thanksgiving potluck and a ping pong tournament. Cadets who helped with planning those events were Representative Jacob Mullican, Public Relations Officer Destiny Theriot, Secretary Grace Kerney, Treasurer Colton Wood, Vice President Camryn Huff and President Layla Theriot.
Recruiting Operations Officer Raymond McDowell presented the department’s scholarships.
Cadet Tin Huynh received the Teresa CAaales Scholarship, awarded to a cadet who demonstrates strong Army Values and core leadership skills.
Cadet Layla Theriot received the Harris Family Scholarship, awarded to a junior or senior who demonstrates the Army Values and Core Leader Competencies.
Cadet Ethan Jones received the Governor James A. Noe Memorial Scholarship awarded to a cadet who displays a high degree of leadership potential, a high standard of moral conduct and works to support the program.
Cadet Cameron Huff received the Brittany Jeanice Leadership and Excellence Scholarship awarded to a cadet who is active in ROTC and at least two other NSU organizations, maintains a high GPA and demonstrated leadership potential.
Cadet Colton Wood was awarded the Malcolm Daisy Scholarship, presented to a hardworking, loyal and dedicated cadet who exhibits all Army Values and volunteers on a regular basis.
Cadet Caiden Matthews, who will commission as a U.S. Army officer upon graduation in May 2025, received his branch assignment, quartermaster active duty. Matthews is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a minor in Military Leadership.
Next semester’s leadership is as follows.
The Platoon Sergeant of First Platoon – Camryn Huff
First Squad Leader – Miguel Flores
Second Squad Leader – Tin Huynh
Third Squad Leader – Mia Cole
The Platoon Sergeant of Second Platoon – Kyra Cole
First Squad Leader – Miriam McDaniel
Second Squad Leader – Eric Cao
Third Squad Leader – Molly Stelly
Cadet Christian Holmes, Battalion Executive Officer
Cadet Layla Theriot, Administrative Officer
Cadet Jan Amutan, Recruiting Officer
Cadet Jaylon James, Operations Officer, assisted by Cadet Lawson Turner
Cadet Grace Kerney, Logistics Officer
Cadet Megan Franchino, Communications Officer
Cadet Jacob Mullican, Company Commander
Cadet Todd Gladish, Company First Sergeant
Cadet Ethan Jones, Physical Training Officer
Cadet Brendan Campbell, Special Projects Officer
Cadet Colton Wood, Color Guard Sergeant
Cadet Damarkus Lawson, Sergeant Major
Cadet Caiden Matthews will remain the Battalion Commander.
For information on NSU’s Department of Military Science visit https://www.nsula.edu/rotc/.
