The Association of the United States Navy (AUSN) recognizes students involved in NJROTC programs during high school and college-level NROTC programs from across the United States with Patriotism Awards. Students who demonstrate honor, courage and commitment are nominated by their unit instructors and receive a certificate, letter of congratulations and medal authorized by the Navy to be worn on their uniforms.
This March and April, 28 cadets from 17 states, representing the finest talent from 22 naval programs, received AUSN’s special recognition.
Stay tuned for additional recipients scheduled to be recognized at their end-of-year award ceremonies in May 2024.
March/April 2024 High School Recipients
ARIZONA
C/LCDR Desarae Olivas-Howe
Moon Valley High School | Phoenix, AZ
C/ENS Diana Sosa
Glendale High School | Glendale, AZ
FLORIDA
Adjutant/Cadet First Lieutenant Taylor D. Carlson (Originally awarded April 2023)
Palm Bay Magnet High School | Melbourne, FL
Cadet/First Sergeant Gabriel O. Denton
Palm Bay Magnet High School | Melbourne, FL
GEORGIA
Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Aniyah Johnson
H.V. Jenkins High School | Savannah, GA
KENTUCKY
Cadet Ensign Matthew Minton
Madisonville North Hopkins High School NJROTC | Madisonville, KY
OKLAHOMA
C/Captain Elliott L. Towery
Bixby High School MCJROTC | Bixby, OK
SOUTH CAROLINA
C/PO3 T'Mauri Cannon
White Knoll High School NJROTC | Lexington, SC
TEXAS
Cadet Lance Corporal Avril Bruyere
Royal High School JROTC | Pattison, TX
VIRGINIA
Cadet Sergeant Alexander McNiven
J. R. Tucker High School | Henrico, VA
WEST VIRGINIA
Cadet Corporal Lacy Casto
Saint Albans High School, Saint Albans, WV
March/April 2024 College Recipients
ALABAMA
MIDN 4/C Damian Marquis Benson
Tuskegee University | Tuskegee Institute, AL
MIDN 2/C Cameron Williams
Tuskegee University | Tuskegee Institute, AL
ARIZONA
Midshipman 2/C Daniel Adam Korfist
Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
MIDN 1/C Jude E. DiMedio
George Washington University | Washington, D.C.
FLORIDA
MIDN 2/C Serenity T. Williams
Florida A&M University | Tallahassee, FL
ILLINOIS
MIDN 2/C Madison N. Whitlock
University of Illinois NROTC | Champaign, IL
MAINE
4/C Kursten S. Massey
Maine Maritime Academy NROTC | Orono, ME
NORTH CAROLINA
MIDN 2/C Christopher J. Cosby
Duke University | Durham, NC
NEW MEXICO
Midshipman 2/C Andrew Do
University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM
Midshipman 2/C Sarah Van Hoogmoed
University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM
NEW YORK
MIDN 2/C Karl R. Veigl
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY
SOUTH CAROLINA
MIDN 3/C William H. Greene
University of South Carolina NROTC | Columbia, SC
VIRGINIA
Officer Candidate Angelia Gafford
Old Dominion University | Hampton Roads NROTC | Norfolk, VA
MIDN 2/C John P. Peck
Old Dominion University | Hampton Roads NROTC | Norfolk, VA
MIDN 3/C Sean Ingram
Old Dominion University | Hampton Roads NROTC | Norfolk, VA
VERMONT
MIDN 2/C John W. Bertolini
Norwich University | Northfield, VT
MIDN 2/C David A. Lynch
Norwich University | Northfield, VT
Midshipman Kursten Massey received the AUSN Patriotism Award on March 22, 2024. The award was presented by Commanding Officer of NROTC Maine Maritime Academy, CAPT Gary Chase.
Cadet/LCDR Desarae Olivas-Howe, a senior at Moon Valley High School and recipient of the AUSN Patriotism Award and AUSN Phoenix Saguaro Chapter's Certificate of Commendation, receives congratulations from CAPT Carol Culbertson, USN, Retired, President of the AUSN Phoenix Saguaro Chapter. Cadet/LCDR Olivas-Howe is going to college to become a chemical engineer.
Cadet Sergeant Alexander McNiven receives the AUSN Patriotism Award and medal from Marine Instructor Sergeant Major R. Scott Cauley (USMC, Retired) as part of the 2024 Awards Night Special Recognition for the MCJROTC at J. R. Tucker High School in Henrico, Virginia.