Two students from McAllen ISD’s Memorial High School have been selected for the prestigious SSgt Jeremey D. Smith Exemplary Service Award. They will be honored in Washington, D.C. April 3-6.
Estella Guajardo and Marcus Bartlett, both part of Memorial’s JROTC program, earned the award for this academic year. This award goes to high school cadets who “exemplify academic achievement , community service and citizenship.”
Guajardo and Bartlett are two of just six students in Texas selected for this award.
The Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Foundation created the award to honor the life and sacrifice of US Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Jeremy Smith who was killed in action on April 6, 2011, while serving in Afghanistan.
“With great pride and admiration, we sincerely congratulate Estella Guajardo and Marcus Bartlett on their selection for the prestigious SSgt Jeremey Smith Award,” Memorial High JROTC Instructor Rogelio De Leon said. “This esteemed recognition is a testament to their outstanding leadership, unwavering commitment to excellence, and exemplary patriotism. We commend them for their remarkable achievements.”
As part of this honor, they will be formally recognized during a special ceremony held in the nation’s capital. They will meet elected officials from the national capital area and participate in personal tours of the Pentagon, the historic Arlington National Cemetery, and The Marine Corps Museum.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a three-time winner of the state’s highest rating, an “A,” and a four-time winner of the state’s Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction. In 2022, McAllen ISD was named the Best Large District in Texas through the H-E-B Excellence in Education awards. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 20,000 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).