Written by: MAJ (Ret.) Micah Ray

HISD’S Absolute Best – Part 1 of 4

Houston ISD is the 4th largest district in the United States. JROTC within the district has around 4,000 cadets. Houston MSTC can proudly announce four of their own JROTC cadets are among the top 24 cadets out of 4,000. These four cadets went through a battery of tests and tasks competing to earn a district level promotion and rise to the top of their own battalion’s leadership chain.

Cadet Staff Sergeant Ethan Aragus

Cadet Staff Sergeant Ethan Aragus
Grade Level: 9th
GPA: 3.8
Clubs and Teams:

  • Drill Team
  • Staff Member
  • Marksmanship

National Honor Society: Aspirant

Competitions:

  • Fall Classic 2022 Unarmed Drill
  • Outstanding Cadet Board

Positions Held:

  • Squad Leader
  • Platoon Sergeant
  • Currently District Level Orderly

Ethan Aragus joined Army JROTC in August of 2022 and quickly established himself as a top-level freshman (LET 1). He made it a point to learn entry level required information which includes basic drill, the Cadet Creed, and classroom protocol. He joined the armed drill team learning rifle drill but was asked to compete as an unarmed drill member due to a shortage of cadets on the team. He accepted and greatly contributed to the unarmed team earning the #2 ranking for the district.

Instructors identified Ethan as a potential freshman candidate to compete at the 2023 Outstanding Cadet Board based on his efforts. He is a valued asset to the team and will one day achieve higher success in the JROTC program.

Top photo caption: Mrs. Aragus (mother) pins on his new rank of Staff Sergeant at the award ceremony.

Check back soon to read about more Sam Houston MSTC Army JROTC Cadets!

Left to Right: Cadet Colonel Erik Jimenez, Cadet Major Jasmine “Jai” Nava, Cadet Command Sergeant Major Elizabeth Rigney, Cadet Staff Sergeant Ethan Aragus

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