Looking to the future

MOUNT DORA — Major Andrew Scott was the guest speaker at the November meeting of the Ocklawaha Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He was accompanied by five Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp cadets.

Many of the cadets come from military families. Leah Turkis’ father is in the U.S. Army Special Forces. Emma Burns has a father in the Coast Guard and her brother is in the Navy. Brittany Redmond plans to join the Air Force and Katie Pendergast’s father was in the Army. Marissa Spitz plans to be an aeronautical engineer and Haley Rodriguez graduated a year early from Mount Dora High School.

Rodriguez was the recipient of the DAR ROTC award for 2017.

“JROTC looks to the future. It doesn’t stop in the classroom. The benefits are something to be reaped for years to come” Scott said. “It’s important for these cadets to have a road map.”

Scott said the JROTC program provides the guidance and structure the cadets need. The goal of the JROTC is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.

The Ocklawaha Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution congratulated the cadets on their success at their recent meeting, and members said they "know they will have a bright future."

The next meeting for the Ocklawaha Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be 10 a.m. on Dec. 9 at St. Edwards Episcopal Church, 460 Grandview St. in Mount Dora. Congressman Ronald DeSantis will be the guest speaker.

For information, email registrar Brenda South at bsouthodar@gmail.com.