Hometown Heroes

Two WOHS Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) members were recently awarded the second highest award given in the JROTC program. Sophomores Aamore Richards and Ayana Tapper received the Silver Valor Award for heroism on February 24th.

Earlier this year, Cadets Richards and Tapper were hanging out after school and a man approached them and asked if they knew about two kids who were hanging from a second story window. They ran to the house where the seven year old boy and four year old girl were and told them to stay away from the windows. When the children didn’t listen, they asked if their parents were home, in which the children didn’t respond again. Cadet Richards suggested to call the police, and Cadet Tapper spotted a police car by a nearby construction site. The police came and called the fire department and multiple attempts were made to get the children out of the house. Later firefighters broke through a window where they rescued the children. In recognition of their actions, the director of the Air Force JROTC, Colonel Bobby Woods Jr, sent them the Silver Valor award.

“I am humbled to have received this award,” Cadet Richards stated on earning this honor. “We weren’t expecting it at all. We had no idea how important what we were doing was at the time. I’m still in shock; earning the Silver Valor wasn’t our goal from this, but I am happy we did. Winning the 2nd highest Precedence ribbon not only in AFJROTC, but in ROTC made our families proud and our Mountaineer Squadron proud.”  

Cadet Tapper also commented, “I personally feel that this is my greatest accomplishment. I did not expect to win a National Award (especially with my best friend), let alone an award that only 10% of ROTC cadets ever receive. The fact that the director of the Air Force JROTC, Colonel Bobby Woods, Jr. recognized our accomplishment is even greater.”

Now what do these cadets hope to accomplish next? “As far as what I hope to accomplish next year, I don’t know. Who knows what life has in store for us in the future. I just hope whatever I accomplish, I once again accomplish it with my best friend.” Cadet Richards stated. Cadet Tapper gave a similar response stating, “I hope to do great things academic wise and JROTC wise with my best friend by my side.”

Congratulations to Cadets Richards and Tapper for this well-deserved honor!