DAR Presents Award to Mexico High School JROTC Cadet

MEXICO, NY – Lorraine Gregory, Regent of the Ontario Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), recently presented Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Michael Baggett with the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) certificate at an awards ceremony at Mexico High School.

Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Baggett has participated in the Marine Corps Junior ROTC for four years, acting as the color sergeant for three years, and as the drill team commander for his last two years. He is also a member of the rifle team and academics team.

First Sergeant LaShaun L. Benjamin, advisor to the JROTC at Mexico High School, said Cadet Baggett has donated more than 100 hours of community service and has received several awards.

Cadet Baggett earned the American Legion Military Excellence Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars medal, the Daedalian Medal, and many other recognitions. He was named the best cadet in his platoon at Nationals Drill Camp in his leadership education training. He also served as the Rocket Team Captain, a member of Kingdom Club, and is active in his church youth group.

Cadet Baggett said his favorite JROTC memory was the celebratory dinner after earning first place in the 2024 Newburgh drill meet, which he considered an inspiring display of effort by his teammates.

He plans to attend SUNY Oswego and then commission into the Marine Corps after earning his degree.

The DAR award is presented to a Junior ROTC cadet who has demonstrated dependability and good character, adherence to military discipline, leadership ability, and a fundamental and patriotic understanding of the importance of JROTC training. The recipient must in the top 25 percent of cadets in JROTC and academic subjects.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism and honoring patriots of the Revolutionary War. Members share a common bond of having an ancestor who served in the American Revolution.

For information on joining the Ontario NSDAR chapter, visit https://ontariochapterdar.wixsite.com/ontariochapterdar or contact [email protected].  For information on the Junior ROTC at Mexico High School, contact 1^st Sgt. LaShaun Benjamin at [email protected].

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