A combination of hard work, good grades, community service and exceptional leadership skills has made this Hanahan High senior the top JROTC student in the state – and possibly the nation.
Earlier this school year, Cadet CSGM Ashlyn Mouzon was named the Charleston area’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) JROTC Cadet of the Year Award recipient. She has since been selected as the top JROTC Cadet in all of South Carolina.
Now she is in the running for the National JROTC Cadet of the Year Award with plans to head to Washington, D.C. in March to learn the results.
Ashlyn is the daughter of Angel Mouzon, a teacher at Berkeley Middle, and Stacy Mouzon, who is a member of VFW Post 5091 off Spruill Avenue in North Charleston; Stacy is retired and previously served with the Marine Corps, and he served some years in the Army as well.
Getting to this point all started with a letter of recommendation submitted by CSM (R) Ronaldo Jordan, one of Hanahan High’s JROTC instructors, nominating Ashlyn for the VFW JROTC Cadet of the Year Award when the VFW was accepting nominations from local area high schools.
The VFW JROTC Cadet of the Year Award goes to a student who demonstrates leadership skills and academic achievement. Jordan selected Ashlyn because he said she is the type of cadet that understands taking initiative and what “implied tasks” are toward running an Army JROTC battalion.
“Just her mere presence demands respect, admiration, and action from her fellow cadets,” Jordan said. “She exudes leadership, professionalism and, best of all, she achieves results.”
In his letter to the VFW State Headquarters, Jordan detailed everything that has made Ashlyn an outstanding cadet in her four years of participating in her school’s JROTC program.
As the Cadet Command Sergeant Major – the highest listed rank a JROTC student can achieve – Ashlyn is in charge of overseeing the welfare, good order, and discipline and leadership development of more than 170 student cadets. She has led the execution of numerous school, community and mayoral events.
She is a master at drill and ceremonies and has served as Color Guard Commander and Honor Guard Commander. Ashlyn is also a graduate of the rigorous JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge Camp at Fort Jackson, a winner of the Superior Cadet Medal, the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal, and the prestigious Noncommissioned Officer Association Medal.
If that were not enough, Ashlyn is a stellar student with a 4.719 grade point average, and has received the JROTC high honor roll ribbon, arc, shoulder cord and academic ribbon. At different points of her high school years, she has participated in Beta Club and National Honor Society, accumulating more than 100 volunteer hours through such programs.
In his letter, Jordan wrote that it was evident from her freshman year that Ashlyn would go far in Hanahan High’s JROTC program.
“Ashlyn is a well-rounded, well-balanced young woman, with exceptional character,” Jordan said.
Through her father’s involvement with VFW, Ashlyn does a variety of tasks such as helping out at events happening at the post. Stacy said high school volunteers do a lot when they volunteer with VFW: they will provide transportation to go buy groceries, or sometimes students may read to them – a lot of things that these veterans might not otherwise be able to do for themselves.
“To her it may be simple, but…she’s helping support veterans that are in need,” Stacy said.
Simply winning at the local level came as a pleasant surprise to Ashlyn.
“It was kind of cool – I wasn’t expecting it at all,” she said.
Stacy said when the state reached out to the Mouzons to deliver the news that Ashlyn was the top cadet in South Carolina, the family was very excited.
“It says a lot about the administration at Hanahan, and what we’ve done as a post to move forward in nominating a VFW JROTC Cadet of the Year,” Stacy said.
Stacy added that his daughter accomplishing such an achievement is no surprise to him; Ashlyn works very hard and excels at all she takes on.
“Her mother and I are very proud,” he said.
Ashlyn will head to Washington, D.C. in March to find out the results of the national competition.
“I feel like I’m a little more nervous than excited,” she said. “It’s a huge opportunity and I’m glad, but I just don’t know exactly what to expect.”
Ashlyn said she is very appreciative of her JROTC instructors; Jordan is joined by LTC (R) Yolanda Ellerbee.
“They’ve taught me so much – how to get out of my comfort zone,” Ashlyn said. “I have a lot more confidence in myself so I do thank them for that.”
Ashlyn has a younger brother, Monty, who is a sophomore at Hanahan High. In addition to the aforementioned accolades and extracurricular activities, Ashlyn is also a member of HOSA, a health science organization for students. She is still active in National Honor Society and plans to join her school’s Renaissance program. She has participated in the school’s marching band for three years and plays the clarinet.
Ashlyn said the camaraderie she has built with fellow cadets is what keeps her involved in the program at Hanahan High. She plans to participate in ROTC at a collegiate level – ideally, she wants to major in sports medicine but would also like to keep studying music or join in her school’s band. Ashlyn is considering University of South Carolina or Coastal Carolina University at this time.
Hanahan High Principal Tom Gallus said Ashlyn is a talented student who has worked hard in many extracurricular activities while maintaining outstanding grades.
“She is a leader in the halls and defines the type of student that we want to represent Hanahan High,” Gallus said. “Without a doubt, Ashlyn will be successful in the career field that she chooses.”