Alisha Smith is HCHS JROTC’s January Cadet of the Month

Cpl. Alisha Smith was selected as Holmes County High School JROTC’s Cadet of the Month for January.

Smith is a member of the 6th Platoon who excels and is always looking for ways to help other people, according to 1st Sgt. Randy Burlew. 

Smith sees the JROTC program as a good place for people to become better citizens and is a very fun class that is even more fun when everyone pitches in to help a good cause.

Smith’s favorite teacher is ninth grade English teacher Stephanie Pippin who Smith sees as a good role model and a nice person. But her favorite class is, of course, JROTC. 

When Smith is not in school, she enjoys artistic pursuits such as making jewelry, drawing, and dancing. She is a very artistic and creative person. 

Burlew said Smith strives to be the best that she can be at everything she does. That does not always mean being number one but doing the best she can do. He added that Smith’s character and motivation are always a positive way to help the cause for the HCHS JROTC program.

Further into her future, Smith wants to attend college at Florida State University in Tallahassee to pursue an art degree. After college, Smith wants to be a Youtuber, a jeweler and a babysitter. As a babysitter, Smith can always help someone take care of their most precious achievement – their child. As a Youtuber, she can show the world around her, her motivation, and artistic skills. Jewelry making is one of her favorite artistic outlets.

Burlew said Smith earned the Cadet of the Month award in part due to bringing in the most items for a service learning project that JROTC does year-round to help those in need during the holidays. The program provides non-perishable food items to “Blessing Boxes†– free- standing pantries typically filled with food and hygiene items. Smith contributed a generous 65 items for the project. 

Smith is a new Blue Devil who recently transferred from Vernon. Burlew said the battalion is lucky to have Smith’s skills and leadership qualities and that she helps her community and serves as a wonderful cadet.