The Golden Bugle ● Issue 1 ● September 2020
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Golden Bugle ● Issue 1 ● September 2020 In This Issue Welcome to the first edition of the Golden Bugle! Welcome The Golden Bugle Newsletter first began in 2014, and highlighted news, updates and events from JROTC programs across the district. City Corps Staff The Golden Bugle team is very excited to begin the SY21 journey with Leadership its Editor, City Corps Staff Cadet Brigadier General Zivinka Neri; the J5 team lead by Cadet Colonel Laila Martinez and Cadet Lieutenant Interview Colonel Nina Ahlheim, and Advising Editor Marcia Boyd. Cadet Brig.Gen. Kate Heneghan The Golden Bugle will be the spot to read about all of the amazing accomplishments of cadets in JROTC programs in Chicago Public Success Stories Schools. Cadets of the Year Highlights will include: Cadet Command & ● Co-curricular JROTC events ● Highlights from citywide JROTC programs Staff Leadership ● Student success stories and spotlights School ● Opportunities for cadets including internships & summer Service Learning programs Back to School Video ● Scholarship information ● College and Career planning College & Careers Scholarship Tips We’d love to hear from you! Please share your favorite photos or IL ROTC Tuition Waiver stories about a cadet or your battalion with us here. City Corps Staff - Leadership This year’s City Corps Staff consists of 25 cadets, our biggest staff yet! Please welcome our leadership team! C/Brig. Gen. Kate Heneghan C/Brig. Gen. Zvinka Neri C/Col. Antwuan Herman Commander Deputy Commander Executive Officer Lane Tech College Prep High School Nicholas Senn High School Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville TheThe Golden Golden Bugle Bugle ● Issue● Issue 1 ● 1 August ● September 2020 2020 Interview We had the great opportunity to interview the 2020-21 City Corps Staff Cadet Brigadier General Kate Heneghan, Commander. Kate attends Lane Tech High School, and during this year’s City Corps Staff and Battalion Commander Commissioning Ceremony, she will be commissioned to the rank of Brigadier General for the City Corps Staff and Battalion Commander for the Warrior Battalion at Lane Tech. Today she will be telling us about her vision for the City Corps Staff and share some advice to our cadets. C/Brig. Gen. Heneghan: My main goal for the City Corps Staff (CCS) is to adapt to each new challenge that we face throughout the school year. This school year is going to be unique, to say the least, but I know as a joint staff we will adapt and overcome, and make this year the best that we can. I have no doubt in my mind that the City Corps Staff will be able to tackle each challenge that we face, and I am so excited to begin leading this year’s City Corps Staff as we navigate the 2020-2021 school year. C/Brig. Gen. Heneghan: My main piece of advice is to believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when applying for a position or trying something new. I had to go out of my comfort zone and step up as a leader, and from then on I have never looked back. I encourage every cadet to strive for that top position in your school, or apply for CCS, or set a new goal. The only thing stopping you is yourself, and if you just step out of your comfort zone and believe in yourself, you may be surprised with the results! Current cadets, you are the future of JROTC, and you can do anything if you put your mind to it. “I had to go out of my comfort “The only thing zone and step up as a leader, stopping you is and from then on I have never yourself” looked back.” TheThe Golden Golden Bugle Bugle ● Issue● Issue 1 ● 1 August ● September 2020 2020 Success Stories This past Memorial Day, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, First Lady Eshleman, and Brigadier General Mark C. Jackson alongside Cadets Michael Collazo and Sophie Cohen, laid a wreath at Daley Plaza’s eternal flame in honor of our fallen servicemen and women. During this ceremony, Mayor Lightfoot and Brig.Gen. Jackson recognized Cadet Collazo and Cadet Sophie now attends the Michael will attend Cohen for being the Cadets of the Year. U.S. Military Academy Northeastern University at West Point where she in Boston, where he will Michael and Sophie are both 2020 graduates will graduate as a major in Data Science from Lane Tech High School, located in Commissioned Officer and Business in the U.S. Army. Administration. Roscoe Village on the Northside of Chicago. For Michael, JROTC provided the opportunity for him to develop his self-confidence, teamwork, leadership and communication skills. For Sophie, JROTC provided an opportunity for her to execute her leadership skills by planning citywide events and most importantly to reach her goals. JROTC helped Sophie get a head start on her goal of attending the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point -- which she dreamed of attending since the 5th grade. Both cadets were also part of the Chicago JROTC City Corps Staff, Sophie as the Sergeant Major and Michael as the Deputy Commander. Congratulations to both of them once again, we are very proud of Michael and Sophie for the work they have done for the JROTC program and the City of Chicago. We wish them the best in their future endeavors! “Having a certain rank or position only means so much, but what really “Not only did JROTC help me grow matters is the skills you learn and the as a leader and as a person, it also bonds you make.” - Michael Collazo gave me a family.” - Sophie Cohen TheThe Golden Golden Bugle Bugle ● Issue● Issue 1 ● 1 August ● September 2020 2020 JROTC Cadet Command and Staff Leadership School (JCCSLS) On August 28, the City Corps Staff and Cadet Chain of Commands from all 44 JROTC programs here in Chicago came together for JROTC Cadet Command and Staff Leadership School. Although this year’s JCCSLS wasn’t hosted at Phoenix Military Academy, the City Corps Staff was prepared to take it virtually! During an early morning briefing, the City Corps Staff introduced themselves and presented their goals and visions for the school year. Then each program was tasked in doing the same, at the end of the day, each program presented their goals, vision, Check out this video made by our J5 and potential service learning projects for the Primary Officer C/COL Martinez school year. welcoming back our cadets and instructors to the new school year! Service Learning Projects Having trouble thinking of a Service Learning Project (SLP) for your battalion? Here are some ideas that were presented during JCCSLS: - Hosting a blood drive or donating blood as a group - Collecting & donating canned goods or masks - Making videos about safety during COVID-19 - Virtual walkathons or marathons Make sure your SLPs are flexible to our current environment and that they are engaging, innovative, and relevant! TheThe Golden Golden Bugle Bugle ● Issue● Issue 1 ● 1 August ● September 2020 2020 College & Career Preparation Tips from the Top: Michele Howard, Senior Scholarship Manager, Chicago Public Schools We had the great opportunity to interview Michele Howard, she is the Senior Scholarship Manager who negotiates scholarship opportunities and advocates for greater access to those scholarships for CPS students along with providing the tools for students and parents to have success towards college. Ms. Howard is a product of CPS, graduating from Whitney Young High School. She also earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from Howard University and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Concordia University. Ms. Howard was able to give us the best tips for our students preparing for their upcoming journey into college! When should students have a conversation with their parents or guardians about how much are they willing/able to pay for college? Families must have a plan in place to pay for college because college costs! Students should begin to have realistic conversations about college and expenses freshman year. Students can begin to enroll in programs that will help direct them toward scholarships and prepare them to be better scholarship candidates. When should students prepare scholarship personal statements and college application Essays? Sophomore year is the golden year to start writing! By junior year there should be at least 2 to 3 drafts and by senior year the focus should be to edit, customize and refine. It’s helpful to start an activities resume to assist with keeping up with experiences and involvement over time. It doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be a running list! This will help with the content of college and scholarship essays. What are a few “Do’s” and “Don’ts” when applying for scholarships? Do… ● Establish a brag sheet/activities resume to share with people who can write your letters of recommendation. ● Review and KNOW YOUR transcript (GPA, test scores, courses) to assist with identifying scholarships you’re eligible to apply for. ● Understand what you NEED BEFORE starting the application. ● Know WHO the CONTACTS are that can assist you (for the scholarship, at your school, etc.) ● Know HOW MUCH you need to bridge your financial gap (apply for the dollar amount you need in scholarships, not a “number” of scholarships. i.e. $30k vs 3) ● Have a FEW college OPTIONS, this means MORE THAN 3 and for every “OPTION” check the school website for freshman and/or major specific scholarship opportunities ● Check your email frequently! ● Create a schedule to apply for scholarships each week! Don’t … ● Ask for a recommendation from someone who is not familiar with who you are and your growth.