Photo by Sarah Merly
Key Points
- Wekiva High School’s AFJROTC held a ceremony on Sept. 11 to honor the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at their school flagpole.
- Retiring OCPS Superintendent Maria Vazquez praised the cadets for their honor, duty, and service during the event and previous high-profile performances.
- The AFJROTC color guard presented flags and conducted a 13-fold flag ceremony.
Wekiva High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at a Sept. 11 ceremony surrounding the school flagpole.
“Today, 25 years later, leaders from Orange County Public School system, Apopka’s mayor and Wekiva High administrative staff took a minute of their time to pay honor and respect to what happened to our nation 25 years ago, to pray for those that gave the ultimate price and be grateful for those that went forward into strange lands to defend America from any more attacks,” said AFJROTC senior instructor and retired Col. Scott Stewart in an email to The Apopka Chief.
At the ceremony, the school band performed the national anthem, and the AFJROTC color guard presented the flags of the United States, Florida, the Air Force and the Space Force. Retiring Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Vazquez also shared remarks, noting her appreciation for the cadets’ dedication and character.
“Even though you did not experience this firsthand, I see the values born from that tragic day, and they are very much alive in our cadets,” she said. “I see honor, duty and service in each one of you. That spirit is why keeping each other safe matters so much — by staying alert, looking out for your classmates, and taking care of our Mustang family every single day.”
Vazquez also commended the color guard’s performances earlier this year.
“On August 29, you represented our district on national TV at the Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400,” she said. “After presenting the colors for the Orlando Magic, the mayor’s office, and other high-profile events across our community, you stood before 100,000 people in the stands and four million watching live at home, carrying yourselves with absolute dignity and poise. NASCAR’s officials told us you set a whole new standard of maturity and behavior for high school units nationwide. You made the U.S. Air Force, Wekiva High School, and OCPS very proud.”
Cadets Anthony Darwin and Rodosvaldo Muñoz III then conducted a 13-fold ceremony for the American flag before Cadet Col. Taaliyah Rivers presented it to Vazquez for her years of service in public education.
“Wekiva High School’s AFJROTC program represented our school with tremendous pride and excellence during today’s 25th anniversary commemoration of 9/11,” said Wekiva principal Anthony Russell in a text message to the Chief. “Their precision, discipline, professionalism, and attention to detail were absolutely superb. I am beyond proud of Colonel Stewart, Master Sergeant Corry, and our outstanding cadets for the leadership, dedication, and excellence they demonstrated today. They truly embodied what it means to be a Wekiva Mustang.”