Youngstown State University’s Army ROTC program celebrated cadet achievement during its annual awards breakfast this spring, recognizing excellence in academics, leadership and military performances while presenting more than $51,000 in scholarships and awards.

The program provides students the opportunity to participate in ROTC while pursuing nearly any academic major, combining leadership development, military training and career preparation with scholarship support and mentorship opportunities. Students who complete the program can pursue careers as Army officers while also developing skills that translate to civilian leadership roles.

Among the scholarships awarded were multiple ROTC memorial and alumni scholarships funded through veteran organizations, military associations, ROTC alumni and community supporters dedicated to investing in future military and civic leaders.

Two junior cadets received multiple top honors during the ceremony.

CDT Parker Bush, an accounting major and MS III cadet, received the American Legion Award Post 201 Scholastic Excellence Award, the Reserve Organization of America Gold Medal, the SGT Arthur R. Lonardo ROTC Scholarship Award, the COL Charles M. Andrean ROTC/Greek Memorial Scholarship, the Colonel Lloyd Booth Scholarship, the Felicia and Duane Beatty Memorial Scholarship, the Holly and David Deibel ROTC Scholarship and the Major Matthew A. Chikosky (Ret.) ROTC Memorial Scholarship.

CDT Onesimo Vivar-Vega, a business administration major and MS III cadet, received the American Legion Award Post 301 Military Excellence Award, the AMVETS Award, the AUSA ROTC Medal, the Military Officers Association of America Award, the Carl A. Nunziato Scholarship Award and the ROA-Arseny Melnick Award.

Senior cadets, now newly commissioned as second lieutenants, were also recognized for leadership and achievement.

2LT Aidan Gray, a business administration major and MS IV, received the Military Order of the Purple Heart Award, the CPT Richard Zinz Memorial Graduation Award and the MOAA ROA Commissioning Certificate and 2LT Kit.

2LT Nick Johnson, a mechanical engineering major and MS IV, received the American Legion Award Post 15 Military Excellence Award, the MOAA ROA Commissioning Certificate, 2LT Kit and the Cadet Battalion Commander Saber.

2LT Kyle Kerchofer, a criminal justice major and MS IV, received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4237 Military Excellence Award and the MOAA ROA Commissioning Certificate and 2LT Kit.

CDT Nevin Miller, a criminal justice major and MS IV cadet, received the Special Forces Association Chapter XXXV Award.

2LT Mitchell Newhard, a criminal justice major and MS IV, received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4237 Scholastic Excellence Award and the MOAA ROA Commissioning Certificate and 2LT Kit.

2LT Ethan Slick, a computer science major and MS IV, received the American Legion Award Post 15 Scholastic Excellence Award, the Reserve Organization of America Ribbon, the MOAA ROA Commissioning Certificate, 2LT Kit and the Cadet Battalion Commander Saber.

2LT Jack McKenney, a mechanical engineering major and MS IV, received the MOAA ROA Commissioning Certificate and 2LT Kit.

Several underclassmen were also recognized for their leadership and academic performance:

• CDT Destiney Jordan, a pre-nursing major and MS I cadet, received the Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of America Award, the COL Brian D. Allgood Scholarship Award and the Colonel Lloyd Booth Scholarship.
• CDT Gust Mamounis, a criminal justice major and MS I cadet, received the American Legion Award Post 472 Military Excellence Award and the MAJ General Lynn Award.
• CDT Alexander Prouty, an adolescent and young adult education major and MS I cadet, received the Mahoning Valley Sons of the American Revolution Award.
• CDT Yelian Seda, an engineering major and MS I cadet, received the American Legion Award Post 472 Scholastic Excellence Award, the Mahoning Valley Republican Women’s Club Award, the Pittsburgh Post Society of American Military Engineers Award, the Reserve Organization of America Bronze Medal, the MG Harold J. Greene ROTC Scholarship Award, the Carl A. Nunziato Scholarship Award, the Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Louis Sacchini ROTC Scholarship and the YSU ROTC Alumni Scholarship.
• CDT Matthew DeFabio, a psychology major and MS II cadet, received the American Legion Award Post 177 Scholastic Excellence Award.
• CDT Karsten Grenzig, a chemical engineering major and MS II cadet, received the AUSA Military History Award and the General Society of the War of 1812 Award.
• CDT Zachary Hopkinson, an adolescent and young adult education major and MS II cadet, received the USAA Spirit Award and the Carl A. Nunziato Scholarship Award.
• CDT Max McCormack-Kuilan, an education major and MS II cadet, received the National Sojourners Award, the Colonel Lloyd Booth Scholarship, the COL Duane LaClair Memorial Scholarship, the First Lieutenant James R. DeGregory ROTC Scholarship and the Lake Milton American Legion Post 737 ROTC Scholarship.
• CDT Zane Perrico, a physics major and MS II cadet, received the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry Award.
• CDT Paul Robinette-Nakely, an information technology major and MS II cadet, received the American Legion Award Post 177 Military Excellence Award, the Reserve Organization of America Silver Medal, the Carl A. Nunziato Scholarship Award, the Ronald W. Albert Scholarship, the Struthers VFW Post 3538 ROTC Scholarship and the YSU ROTC Alumni Scholarship.
• CDT Ezra Stahl, a history major and MS II cadet, received the Carl A. Nunziato Scholarship Award, the LTC Rich and Colleen Tropea Scholarship and the YSU ROTC Alumni Scholarship.
• CDT Adrianna Yorlano, a natural science major and MS II cadet, received the Colonel Lloyd Booth Scholarship and the YSU ROTC Alumni Scholarship.