Cadets recognized at annual awards ceremony
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets held its Annual Military Awards Ceremony last week. In addition to awards given out by the corps, the Virginia Tech ROTC units as well as various military and veteran’s organizations present awards.
The strong support of many local chapters of these organizations makes it possible to recognize the outstanding efforts of many cadets. In total, more than 160 awards were presented to cadets this year.
Beverly S. Parrish Award
Lima Company earned the corps most-prized award, also known as the Gold Cord, which is presented each year to the top company in the corps. This highly-competitive award is based on the academic performance of the unit, recruiting efforts, cadet retention, discipline, room and uniform inspections, and drill performance.
Lima was commanded this spring by Cadet Stephen Romans, from Springfield, Virginia, a senior majoring in biochemistry and minoring in chemistry in the College of Science who is also pursuing a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development. Romans is a member of Air Force ROTC.
Jaffe Eager Squad Trophy
The trophy, presented to the winner of the Annual Eager Squad Drill competition, was awarded to Delta Company for the second consecutive year. It's named in honor of Jeff Jaffe, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1942,
The winning squad was led by Cadet Christopher Biehl, from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, a junior cadet majoring in history and minoring in religion in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Biehl is a member of Army ROTC and is a recipient of the Earving C. Blythe Emerging Leader Scholarship. Each of the 11 members of the winning squad received a $200 award from a trust established by Jaffe.
Eager Individual awards
These awards are given to the best-drilled freshman cadet and sophomore cadet each year.
- Cadet Adam Romaine, from Laurinburg, North Carolina, a freshman majoring in history and minoring in Russian in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences who is also pursuing a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development was selected as the Lt. Edward Raney Freshman Proficiency Award winner. Romaine is a member of Band Company and Army ROTC and is a recipient of an Emerging Leader Scholarship.
- Cadet Michael Schoka, from Fairfax, Virginia, a sophomore majoring in mathematics in the College of Science with a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development was selected as the John E. Hill Memorial Sophomore Proficiency Award winner. Schoka, who is a recipient of the Virginia Hughes Blackman Emerging Leader Scholarship, is a member of Lima Company and the Citizen-Leader Track.
Glenn Wyatt Memorial Recruiting Award
Lima Company also earned this award, given for performing the most recruiting at home high schools over Thanksgiving and winter breaks, participation in the Spend the Night program, and cadet retention rates.
Kohler Cup
Band Company, better known as the Highty-Tighties, earned this honor. The Kohler Cup recognizes the best drilling company in the corps. Each corps unit is graded on their marching prior to each football game as well as during every parade.
Band Company was commanded in the fall by Cadet Emily Konoza, from Warrenton, Virginia, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering with a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development. She is a member of the Naval ROTC unit. Konoza was also awarded the Earle D. Gregory Award for outstanding leadership and for the ability to organize and allocated resources. The award is named for Virginia Tech alumnus Earle D. Gregory, one of seven Congressional Medal of Honor winners from Virginia Tech.
Lacy O. Brumback Award
Cadet Conor Cosgrove, from South Riding, Virginia, a senior majoring in industrial and systems engineering in the College of Engineering with a minor in leadership studies from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Rice Center for Leader Development, who is member of Army ROTC, was selected as the top company commander this year. He received the award, which by tradition is an engraved pocket watch, for his outstanding performance as commander of Bravo Company in the fall semester.
