California Cadet Corps Recognizes Top Cadets at State Competition
Cadets from across California showcase leadership and excellence at Camp San Luis Obispo for the Individual Major Awards Competition
by Capt. James Colbert
California Cadet Corps Public Affairs
January 25, 2025
CAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The California Cadet Corps (CACC) recognized the top cadets from across the state during the annual State Individual Major Awards (IMA) Competition, held Jan. 25, 2025. The event brought together outstanding cadets who demonstrated their leadership, knowledge, and skills in a series of rigorous challenges.
Competing cadets, having qualified at the brigade level, participated in five evaluated events: a formal interview, an oral presentation, a uniform inspection, a written exam, and a drill test. These assessments tested their military bearing, leadership ability, and proficiency in Cadet Corps curriculum.
“The IMA Competition is about more than just winning awards,” said Col. Michael J. Smith, CACC Commander. “It’s about instilling confidence and resilience in young leaders while recognizing their hard work and dedication to excellence.”
Cadets competed in three divisions based on grade level: the Grizzly Division for elementary school cadets, the Junior Division for middle schoolers, and the Senior Division for high school cadets. Each division awarded titles for Outstanding First Year Cadet, Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer, and Outstanding Officer (for Senior Division only).
Top performers were recognized in a formal awards ceremony, with first-place winners receiving a gold medal and a gold star attachment to the appropriate ribbon. The most prestigious honors, the Stillwell Saber, Forbes Trophy, and Jerry Brown Trophy, were awarded to the top overall cadets in their respective divisions.
The event also fostered camaraderie among cadets statewide, reinforcing the Cadet Corps' mission to develop strong, capable leaders for the future.
The California Cadet Corps extends congratulations to all participants and winners for their commitment to excellence.
California Cadet Corps State Individual Major Awards Competition Results
Senior Division
🏆 Overall – C/CPT Matthew Rodriguez, California Military Institute
Cadet Capt. Matthew Rodriguez, with California Military Institute, receives the Stillwell Saber from Col. Michael J. Smith, Commander of the California Cadet Corps, for earning the top overall score in the State Individual Major Awards Competition at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. The Individual Major Awards competition allows cadets to demonstrate their proficiency and knowledge across multiple disciplines. (California Cadet Corps photo by 1st Lt. Zak Lara)
Cadet Capt. Matthew Rodriguez, with California Military Institute, receives the Stillwell Saber from Col. Michael J. Smith, Commander of the California Cadet Corps, for earning the top overall score in the State Individual Major Awards Competition at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. The Individual Major Awards competition allows cadets to demonstrate their proficiency and knowledge across multiple disciplines. (California Cadet Corps photo by 1st Lt. Zak Lara)
- Outstanding First Year Cadet
🥇 First Place – CFC Lakshman Deolalikar, South Sutter Charter
🥈 Second Place – CFC Alyssa Morales, San Gorgonio High School
🥉 Third Place – CFC Bailey Renteria, Pacific High School
From left, Cadet 1st Class Lakshman Deolalikar, Cadet 1st Class Alyssa Morales, and Cadet 1st Class Bailey Renteria, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Outstanding First Year Cadet competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
From left, Cadet 1st Class Lakshman Deolalikar, Cadet 1st Class Alyssa Morales, and Cadet 1st Class Bailey Renteria, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Outstanding First Year Cadet competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
- Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer
🥇 First Place – C/SGT Dylan Steinwert, Clarksville Charter School
🥈 Second Place – C/CPL Jacob Aparicio, Porterville Military Academy
🥉 Third Place – C/SSG Keeghan Senft, Oakland Military Institute
From left, Cadet Sgt. Dylan Steinwert, Cadet Cpl. Jacob Aparicio, and Cadet Staff Sgt. Keeghan Senft, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
From left, Cadet Sgt. Dylan Steinwert, Cadet Cpl. Jacob Aparicio, and Cadet Staff Sgt. Keeghan Senft, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
- Outstanding Officer
🥇 First Place – C/CPT Matthew Rodriguez, California Military Institute
🥈 Second Place – C/MAJ Christopher Medina, California Military Institute
🥉 Third Place – C/CPT Nathan Havens, California Military Institute
From left, Cadet Capt. Matthew Rodriguez, Cadet Maj. Christopher Medina, and Cadet Capt. Nathan Havens, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Outstanding Officer competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
From left, Cadet Capt. Matthew Rodriguez, Cadet Maj. Christopher Medina, and Cadet Capt. Nathan Havens, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Outstanding Officer competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
Junior Division
🏆 Overall – C/SGT Abigal Clower, Porterville Military Academy
Cadet Sgt. Abigal Clower, of Porterville Military Academy, poses for a photo after earning the overall award in the Junior Division at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
Cadet Sgt. Abigal Clower, of Porterville Military Academy, poses for a photo after earning the overall award in the Junior Division at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
- Outstanding First Year Cadet
🥇 First Place – CDT Jaggert Everson, Clarksville Charter School
🥈 Second Place – C/SGT Parthav Maddula, Oakland Military Institute
🥉 Third Place – CDT Joseph Escamilla, University Prep
From left, Cadet Jaggert Everson, Cadet Sgt. Parthav Maddula, and Cadet Joseph Escamilla, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Junior Division Outstanding First Year Cadet competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
From left, Cadet Jaggert Everson, Cadet Sgt. Parthav Maddula, and Cadet Joseph Escamilla, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Junior Division Outstanding First Year Cadet competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
- Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer
🥇 First Place – C/SGT Abigal Clower, Porterville Military Academy
🥈 Second Place – C/SSG Michael Marquez, Badger Springs Middle School
🥉 Third Place – C/SGT Miranda Espinoza, Del Vallejo Middle School
From left, Cadet Sgt. Abigal Clower, Cadet Staff Sgt. Michael Marquez, and Cadet Sgt. Miranda Espinoza, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Junior Division Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
From left, Cadet Sgt. Abigal Clower, Cadet Staff Sgt. Michael Marquez, and Cadet Sgt. Miranda Espinoza, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Junior Division Outstanding Non-Commissioned Officer competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
Grizzly Division
- Outstanding Cadet
🥇 First Place – GZ3 Gregory Cooper, Oakhurst Elementary School
🥈 Second Place – GZ1 Moises Perez, Burton Middle School
🥉 Third Place – GZ1 Shane Almeida, California Military Institute
From left, Cadet Grizzly 3 Gregory Cooper, Cadet Grizzly 2 Moises Perez, and Cadet Grizzly 1 Shane Almeida, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Grizzly Division Outstanding Cadet competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
From left, Cadet Grizzly 3 Gregory Cooper, Cadet Grizzly 2 Moises Perez, and Cadet Grizzly 1 Shane Almeida, who placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the Grizzly Division Outstanding Cadet competition, pose for a photo at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., Jan. 25, 2025. (California Cadet Corps photo by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Amber Lopez)
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