Commanding Officer (CO) Allison Hauw (12), faced the rest of NJORTC’s members, all standing at attention, Ainternatpril 24. An award ceremony was underway, but for what, they had no idea. Captain Thomas Adams had kept its purpose secret, leaving the students waiting in curious speculation. Taking his place at the podium, Captain Adams took care of a few other miscellaneous items before turning his eyes toward Hauw, smiling. Black envelope in hand, he called out her name, opening it up to present the words: Joseph C. Gillian Academic Award.
“Captain [Adams] told us we had something scheduled, but he didn’t tell us why,” Hauw said. “So, when he called up my name, I still didn’t know why I was being called up. And, when he said I had won this award, I was honestly just so surprised.”
Only 23 students internationally receive the Joseph C. Gillian Academic Award, one for each of the U.S. military areas. Each NJROTC unit picks one senior of outstanding achievement, and Captain Adams had nominated Hauw back in January. Out of hundreds of applicants nominated from Area 21, a district including most of Southern California and some of Arizona, Hauw had come out on top.
“The combination of having a strong grade point average, usually above or near a 4.0, while also demonstrating strong performance in NJROTC, is what we look at to figure out who’s going to get nominated,” Captain Adams said. “It’s always tended to be one of our cadets who are in our top three [for the executive board], and [Hauw] excelled in these qualities. I’ve been at Westview since 2017, and in those years, this was the first time anyone from our unit has won.”
Not only are the candidates considered in these aspects, but they are also required to submit an essay based on a currently relevant event.
“Every year, the topic is different depending on something that is happening in the modern age,” Hauw said. “It’s always related to leadership in some way, however, and for my essay, the theme was diplomacy in an age of social media. Having taken [AP U.S. History] and right now, AP [Government], I know a lot about how our foreign policy has changed throughout the years, and I used this knowledge to compare both the negative and positive effects the media has had on our international relations.”
Captain Adams said that he believes it was foremost Hauw’s writing that set her apart.
“In only 750 words, she was able to convey her thoughts and her ideas better than all of the other unit submissions in Area 21, and that was really what resulted in her receiving the award,” Captain Adams said.
Hauw said that this award was symbolic of all the commitment and dedication she’s placed in NJROTC, and that she feels endlessly grateful to have been chosen.
“I felt really proud that Captain [Adams] had first picked me personally for it,” Hauw said. “Just for the nomination to be coming from Captain [Adams], a teacher I’ve looked up to and admired for four years, felt really good. And, to actually win the award, I felt recognized for not only the essay I wrote, but my overall academic achievement, and the work I’ve put into the unit all these years leading up to me being CO. Everyone was so excited for me, clapping and congratulating me afterwards, and it made me feel so loved.”
Though it was something unexpected for Hauw, Captain Adams said he never had doubts.
“I’m never surprised at anything that Westview cadets do in NJROTC because we always overachieve,” Captain Adams said. “We’re always the little dog that can go up against units that have way more advantages in terms of population and resources, and either beat them or compete very closely. But I don’t attribute that to me. I attribute it more to the formula that Westview uses to educate students and the cadets who are willing to put in the effort to digest, learn, and perform better than the average person. So, it was a pleasant surprise, but not a big one.”
Overall, Captain Adams said that it’s watching the students grow over their high school years that makes him continue to stay.
“This program is all about life lessons,” Captain Adams said. “I enjoy watching new cadets, from when they first arrive, not knowing anything, to the point where they start to develop self-confidence in themselves and their abilities. I saw this progression in [Hauw], but from the beginning, she already started off very strong. Throughout the years, as I’ve seen her work her way up, she has never been afraid to tackle new challenges or shied away from the position of leadership. There were mistakes along the way, but the key is she never gave up; she’s not that type of person. Her becoming CO and ultimately, getting this award, is just an acknowledgment of her character. I’m very proud of her.”
As Hauw looks back on the last four years and faces her impending graduation, she said that NJROTC has been an invaluable experience.
“I first joined NJROTC because my dad wanted me to,” Hauw said. “But, the more time I spent with [the members of NJROTC], the more I just really enjoyed the community and how many opportunities there were for learning. It was one of the biggest things that helped me develop my confidence because I came in very shy, but becoming a part of NJROTC helped me to engage with myself and the people around me more. It’s the thing I’ll miss the most.”
