Cadet Major Jessica Smith of the Pelahatchie High School Army JROTC program has been selected as Cadet of the Semester for the Fall Term for SY17-18. Smith was selected among over 85 cadets within the JROTC program at Pelahatchie High School. The criteria for being selected for Cadet of the Semester includes overall academic performance, JROTC knowledge, leadership, citizenship, and display of the Army values. Smith will represent Pelahatchie in the Rankin County District Cadet of the Semester board competition later this month where she will compete among all of the Rankin County high schools. Smith is currently the cadet battalion operations officer, a junior at Pelahatchie High School, and in her third year in the JROTC program.
PHS Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a program offered to high school students that teach cadets character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity. Collectively, these lessons motivate cadets to be better citizens which is the main focus and mission of JROTC. In addition to promoting citizenship, JROTC also prepares cadets for college while providing service opportunities involving school and community.