2017 Army JROTC national essay contest Honorable Mention Cadet Brianna Elie (L) with First Sgt. Raymond Frett (C) and Cadet Kiara Wattley (R), who placed in the 2016 essay contest, at a ceremony to celebrate Elie's success. The Honorable Mention makes Cadet Elie the top scorer in the essay contest's 6th Brigade Caribbean region, which is comprised of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ivanna Eudora Kean High School's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadet Breanna Elie, a 9th grader, received an Honorable Mention in the Army JROTC’s annual JROTC Essay Contest. This makes Elie the top winner of the contest in the Caribbean region, where she placed in the top seven for the 6th Brigade that is comprised of JROTC programs in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
On Thursday, May 4, Colonel Alfred Francis assembled the cadets to the blacktop outside of the JROTC classroom on Kean's campus and briefly spoke about the magnitude of Elie’s success. “Cadet Elie came out to be the first place winner for the Caribbean region," he said. "She truly deserves this recognition."
He went on to share inspirational words regarding the great potential his students have. "Stealing a note from Commissioner Sharon McCollum, when one of you succeed, we all succeed. Today, here at JROTC, is a proud moment for us all because we have received that recognition at the national level. You all have the ability to compete and win nationally.”
There are over 250 JROTC programs within the 6th Brigade and more than 1,700 programs within the Cadet Command of the U.S. Army. The Cadet Command is comprised of eight Brigades that cover the United States and its outlying territories. The 6th Brigade selected seven essays and the top four were forwarded to Ft. Knox, Ky., to be judged for an overall U.S. Army Cadet Command winner.
Elie’s instructor, 1st Sergeant Raymond Frett, had the honor of presenting Cadet Elie with her Certificate of Achievement and Brigade coin in the presence of her mother.
“This is truly an honor,” Sgt. Frett started. “This honor comes to me from the actions of my students, when you display your skills, your ability to follow, to write and to improve on your communication skills. When you succeed, I feel good, I feel happy.”
This year’s essay contest theme was “Service to Others,” and Cadet Elie’s two-and-a-half page essay expressed her belief that service to others has a positive and rewarding impact on oneself, the immediate community and the world.
Cadet Elie’s motivation to enter the contest came from Sgt. Frett, who encouraged students to participate so they could improve their writing skills. She also found the topic easy to write about because service is important to JROTC and the Interact Club, which she is also a member.
“This accomplishment really feels good,” Elie said. “I never thought I’d make it this far, but I did. Knowing hundreds of students within our Brigade submitted essays, this is a huge accomplishment. I’ll definitely be participating in the contest next year.”
Sergeant Frett also recognized 11th grader Cadet Kiara Wattley, who placed in the top ten within the Brigade last year. Cadet Wattley, who aspires to be an author and book editor, says she will also enter the contest again next year.
Both cadets praised Sgt. Frett for his time in preparing and assisting students though the writing process, which included constructing a thesis, engaging in research and creating an outline.
The 6th Brigade took home First Place at Cadet Command with the national winner announced as Tiffany Bryant from Lanier High School in Jackson, Miss.
Cadet Breanna Elie is congratulated by First Sgt. Raymond Frett during a special recognition ceremony at IEKHS on May 4. 
Cadet Elie and her mother celebrate at May 4 ceremony. 
Cadet Elie receives her Brigade coin. 
Cadet Wattley reads her 2016 essay. 
