Students Win Awards at 8th Annual Way To Happiness JROTC Scholarship Competition

Rio Grande Valley high schools participate in a scholarship competition sponsored by Harlingen Family Dentistry to showcase student projects that apply The Way to Happiness precepts and the JROTC Core Values.

Harlingen, TX, April 16, 2015 – Harlingen Family Dentistry hosted its 8th annual values-based Scholarship Competition last Thursday.

Students were acknowledged and awarded for their community projects that incorporated The Way to Happiness precepts and JROTC Core Values.

Schools from across the Rio Grande Valley participated in the contest. The three winners will share $6,000 in scholarships when they register in an institution of higher learning of their choice.

In the competition, members of local high school JROTC programs present activities they have personally done to implement precepts contained in “The Way to Happiness” book and the JROTC Core Values. The common goal is to help make the world a better place.

Lead judge Major General Charles Rodriguez, Chief of Staff and Vice President of Texas A&M San Antonio, assisted by five judges of military rank, assessed the quality and results of the student’s projects. The judges’ informal advice encouraged students to “follow their own goals, work hard and never give up”.

The 2015 First Place winner is Harlingen High School student Lucia Arellano. Her instructor was Master Sergeant Tony Gonzales. Lucia’s project focused on the importance of helping to report and prevent sexual assault and its devastating consequences. She promoted Sexual Assault Awareness and organized the JROTC Stop Child Abuse/Assault 5 K Run in Harlingen.

Lucia applied the“Way to Happiness” precepts “Set a Good Example,” “Love and Help Children,” and “Try to Treat Others as You Would Want Them to Treat You.”. Her project also used the Army Core Values of Duty, Respect and Selfless Service, Integrity and Personal Courage.

Second Place was won by Tanya Cruz of Harlingen High School South, working with instructor Master Sergeant Armando S. Tsukano.

Tanya demonstrated the three Air Force Core Values of Integrity, Service and Excellence through the implementation of community service events such as blood drives, can food drives, field trips and other events. She performed 120 hours of community service and raised 115 pints of blood. Tanya applied “The Way to Happiness” precept “Love and Help Children” by teaching Sunday school and other church activities for children.

Myra Solis of Roma High School won Third Prize, working with Instructor, LTC Luis Barrera.. Myra demonstrated “The Way to Happiness” precept “Fulfill Your Obligations” by getting trained in tax preparation and helping many members of her community with their income tax. She also demonstrated the Army Core Value of Leadership by maintaining over 100 Cadet personnel folders and by preparing the unit for the Veteran’s Day Ceremony, the Baseball Little League Color Guard, the Special Olympics and the Autism Awareness Walk.

A Runner-up Award was earned by Alexia Reyes of Edinburg North High School, working with instructor, LTC (Ret) James A. Troia. She conducted the South Texas Beach Clean-up by getting state approval, arranging transportation, and organizing the cadets. Alexia applied the Army Core Values of Loyalty, Duty, Honor, Respect, Integrity, Selfless Service and Personal Courage, as well as “The Way to Happiness” precepts “Safeguard and Improve Your Environment,” “Set a Good Example,” and “Fulfill Your Obligations.”

“We are very proud of these winners,” said Dr. Villarreal. “We are also proud and grateful for all the contestants who worked so hard with their instructors contributing to their community. As far as we are concerned, they are all winners.”

About the Competition:

To qualify, JROTC cadets are required to present a portfolio containing a JROTC Service Criteria resume, cover letter, certificates of achievement and references.

Each candidate in the competition presents a portfolio summation of results achieved in implementing “The Way to Happiness” precepts and JROTC Core Values. In addition, each student makes an oral and visual presentation to the judges, with project documentation.