Induction Speech for Ruth Islas

May 16, 2019 HOF Ceremony, Dr. Maj. Rodney Wallace

Goodevening Ladies and Gentlemen:

My name is Major (Dr) Rodney Wallace. I am the Senior Army Instructor of the Simon G. Atkins High School "Camel Battalion". I will be presenting the Atkins JROTC Hall of Fame Award to Ruth Islas, Class of 2015. The selection criteria of this prestigious Hall of Fame award derives from three (3) categories that we commonly use in ROTC: Scholar, Athlete and Leader

Ruth was a Scholar. I first came to know former Cadet Ruth Islas in her 10th grade year. Ruth enrolled in my JROTC class in her 10th grade as this intelligent, shy, well mannered cadet that was always prepared to answer the question. As Ruth continued her journey through JROTC, she worked hard and quickly came out her shell by joining the Drill Team and later rose to highest rank in the Atkins JROTC Camel Battalion. By the time, Ruth reached her senior year her grade point average rose to a 3.94 on a 4.0 scale and received the JROTC Legion of Valor Award for outstanding academic excellence.

Ruth was a Athlete. Ruth was a great softball player here at Atkins. In fact, her position on the Atkins Softball Team from 2011 to 2015 was Catcher and First Baseman. Ruth has received numerous Varsity Letters for her commitment and participation in Atkins Athletics.

Ruth is a Leader. Ruth consistently displayed superior Uniform Appearance and was selected by a board panel to serve as the Cadet Battalion Commander in only three (3) years of instruction. Ruth led her battalion to highest level of performance in Rifle, Raider and Drill.

Ruth is a results oriented scholar, athlete and leader that strives for excellence. Ruth just recently graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with honors. While at NCCU, Ruth founded and served as president of the Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Incorporated in Fall 2018, and finished with a 3.8 grade point average. Ruth's ultimate goal is to pursue a professional career in Forensic Science after graduate school.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to present the 2019 JROTC Hall of Fame Award to Ms. Ruth Islas.

RUTH - please come forward to accept this prestigious award.