A Hattiesburg High School student credits dedication, a strong work ethic, and a mom who’s always had his back for his earning one of the top honors bestowed to a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet.
Mohamed Akwieri, a senior cadet major in the HHS JROTC, is recipient of the national JROTC Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Outstanding Achievement for displaying the qualities of an exceptional, well-rounded cadet. He is one of only 75 cadets from across the country out of 500,000 cadets to earn the recognition.
The award also comes with a three-year U.S. Army Reserve scholarship to the college of Akwieri’s choice, which can be upgraded to a four-year scholarship.
The JROTC program is sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces and is designed to instill many of the same values in middle and high school students as for adults serving in the military, including citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this award,” said Akwieri, who was congratulated for his accomplishment by the Hattiesburg Public School District Board of Trustees during one of their October meetings.
He’s also happy the award will help pay for his college tuition.
“It just shows that hard work does pay off,” Akwieri said.
He plans to study electrical engineering in college, and possibly continue to be part of the military, involved in some kind of career “to help make the world a better place.”
Asked what he likes about the military culture the JROTC is based on, Akwieri said its inclusivity is most appealing, as well as the opportunities offered for career training in many fields.
‘In the military, everyone is included, and no one is left behind,” he said. “There’s always a place for everyone, and it offers multiple career paths.”
Akwieri expressed gratitude to his family for their support, in particular his mother, Arwa Aldana.
“She’s always been there for me, supporting me all the way in whatever I’m doing,” he said. “She believes in me, and that means so much.”
At HHS, Mohamed is also president of its Technology Student Association, a member of the National Beta Club and is on the school’s powerlifting team.
Lt. Col. Greg Hill, coordinator of the school’s JROTC, said Akwieri is the first cadet to receive the award in the 10 years he’s led the program.
“We’re elated about Mohamed earning this recognition,” Hill said. “It just shows we have outstanding cadets in the program as well as outstanding students at Hattiesburg High School, which is further evidence of why the district earned an A-rating from the state.”
Hill said the activities HHS JROTC cadets participate in are designed to develop good citizenship qualities centered on leadership and positive character traits, and include community service, marching in parades, honor guard duties, and competing with other JROTC programs across the state and region, among many others.
At the end of the school year, members also take part in a leadership training event at Camp Shelby with hundreds of cadets from other JRTOC programs across the state.
Gen. Jeff Hammond, director of the University of Southern Mississippi Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families, welcomed Akwieri, his family and fellow HHS JROTC cadets to the Center Oct. 23 for a visit with him and his staff and a tour of the Center. Gen. Hammond praised Awieri as a special young man with a bright future.
“He comes from a wonderful family who instilled in him the importance of education and character development," Hammond said. “It’s a joy to have met him and his family, and we wish him all the best.”
