Summit Academy cadets take home awards

Three cadets from Summit Valley Leadership Academy won awards at the Brigade Individual Major Awards Competition on Feb. 4.

The cadets from the California Cadet Corps 501 Battalion, 18th Brigade, were interviewed by a panel of judges on six core objections of leadership, citizenship, patriotism, academic excellence, basic military knowledge and health, fitness and wellness. Cadets also had to give a three-minute speech. The competition was held at Lakeview Middle School in Victorville.

Cadet Sergeant Kaliber Pfum placed first place in the Non-Commissioned Officer Division. Pfum will be moving on to the State Individual Major Awards Completion at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base on April 5.

“I was in the leadership program when I decided to join the cadet program,” Pfum said. “I saw what they were doing and wanted to pursue it — the discipline and training.”

Pfum comes from a strong military pedigree. His goal is to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and become an Army officer.

Cadet First Class Karianne Tschantre placed second place in the Senior Division, Outstanding First Year Cadet.

“I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Tschantre said. “I’ll be the first member of my family to join the service. I want to be a pilot in the Marines.”

Tschantre also won the Summit Leadership Academy First Place Rifle Championship, 2011-12.

Cadet First Class Ryan Sisson won third place for the Senior Division, Outstanding Overall Cadet. Sisson wants to be a 0311 — a rifleman in the Marine Infantry Battalion.

“I decided I needed a new challenge, something to strive for,” Sisson said. “I come from a long line of Marines.”

This was the first year for the California Cadet Corps 501 Battalion, 18th Brigade at Summit Valley Leadership Academy. The battalion was established on August 2011. There are presently 60 cadets enrolled in the program and 18 brigades in the High Desert.

“I am very proud of these cadets. They’ve only been training for five months,” said Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Brillant, California Cadet Corps 18th Brigade Commandant of Cadets and Brigade Advisor.

The cadets are also trained under the direction of war veteran Lieutenant Robert

Hunter, Brillant said, with support from Philip Dotson, director of the Summit Leadership Academy.

The Academy also offers law enforcement and fire programs. For more information call (760) 949-9202 or visit www.slahd.com.