By COL. GARY BREEDLOVE

Special to The Post-Searchlight

Bainbridge High School Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet Stephen Dunn has recently enjoyed several weeks of being recognized for significant achievements.

Stephen is the son of Steve and Melanie Dunn of Bainbridge and a senior at Bainbridge High School. First, Stephen was offered a West Point scholarship to attend Prep School at Marion Military Institute in Marion, Ala., with the promise of entering the United States Military Academy in the summer of 2012. Soon thereafter, he was notified of selection for an Army ROTC scholarship to his choice of either North Georgia College and State University, the University of Georgia, or the University of Alabama. Additionally, Stephen is awaiting word about possible offers from the Air Force Academy.

While considering his options, Stephen and his fellow cadets were competing at “The Nationals” JROTC Competition, held in Daytona Beach, Fla., between April 29 and May 2. As part of the competition, Cadet Dunn applied for and was one of five finalists for the prestigious Jean Weil Scholarship. After interviews during the competition, two cadets are selected for the scholarships and recognized at the awards ceremony. Stephen was one of the two selected to receive the scholarship from Meet Director, Mr. Justin Gates. Stephen was the fifth finalist from Bainbridge High School and the third to be selected for the scholarship.

More recently, Stephen and fellow West Point selectee Adam Anderson were promoted to the highest cadet rank awarded at the Bainbridge Air Force JROTC Program: Cadet Lt Col. This ceremony took place on May 5th, the same day the BHS JROTC unit was notified of their selection for the Distinguished Unit Award by Headquarters, Air Force Junior ROTC. This makes the 8th consecutive year the they have earned the award. None of the other 60 Air Force units in Georgia have equaled this achievement. The Distinguished Unit Award is a direct result of the superb leadership by Cadet Dunn, who was Cadet Commander during the fall semester, and Cadet Anderson, who has been Cadet Commander during the spring semester.

These two young men have committed themselves to a life of military service. They have spent thousands of hours dedicated to improving themselves, their fellow cadets, and the JROTC program. Their accomplishments set a very high standard for those who follow after them. I am personally and professionally proud to have had the opportunity to work with them. They will be assets at the United States Military Academy and in the United States Army. I trust the entire community will commend and support them for what they have done and the challenge they willingly accept I offer Stephen and Adam my most sincere congratulations and best wishes for the future. May God bless and protect them.