Elizabethtown Area High School proudly recognized the achievements of its Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) cadets during the 4th Annual NNDCC Awards Ceremony held in May 2026. The ceremony honored cadets who demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic excellence, citizenship, service, military bearing, and commitment throughout the school year.

The NNDCC curriculum includes instruction in civics, national security affairs, naval history, leadership, oceanography, and technology, while also providing cadets opportunities to participate in service projects, ceremonies, and leadership activities throughout the year. FC1 Michael Wilkinson, USN (RET), serves as the Naval Science Instructor and faculty advisor for Elizabethtown Area High School’s NNDCC program.

This year’s ceremony recognized the following cadets for their outstanding accomplishments:

Cadet Abigail Brosey

• Military Order of the World Wars Medal
• Sons of the American Revolution Award

Cadet Joshua English

• American Veterans (AMVETS) Award
• Daedalian Award
• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Junior ROTC Medal
• Stephen Decatur Award from the Surface Navy Association

Cadet Madelynn Esposito

• American Legion Scholastic Award
• Marine Corps League Award
• Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) JROTC Award
• National Sojourners Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference Scholarship
• Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Medal

Cadet Lily-Ahna Glover

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 Medal

Cadet Malachi Gleason-Schmidt

• Stephen Decatur Award from the Surface Navy Association

Cadet Chris Martin

• Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) JROTC Award

Cadet Anthony Polizzi

• Marine Corps League Award

Cadet Juliet Sutton

• Navy League President Theodore Roosevelt Medal

Cadet AJ Ward

• American Legion Military Excellence Award
• American Veterans (AMVETS) Award
• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Summer Academy Scholarship
• Military Order of the Purple Heart Award
• National Sojourners Award
• Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) JROTC Award
• Reserve Organization of America (ROA) Award
• Scottish Rite Award
• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Award
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Award

Cadet Ambria Yocum

• National Sojourners Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference Scholarship

Additional recognition for leadership, service, promotions, and NJROTC program accomplishments was presented to the following cadets: Sadie Fleming, Gavin Germer, Mason Haupt, Carson Hoover, Mikhal Kauffman, Blake McKain, Cora Quickel, Connor Quinn, Yiovanni Ramos-Rosa, Payton Reardon, Nickolas Risberg, and Joshua Stark.

Congratulations to all cadets for their outstanding accomplishments and dedication to the Elizabethtown Area High School NNDCC program.