NJROTC hosts annual awards and change of command ceremony

The Southold-Mattituck-Greenport NJROTC held its 10th annual winter awards and change of command ceremony this week.

Cadet Captain Natasha Van de Wetering, a senior at Mattituck High School, was named regimental commander of the unit, formerly commanded by Cadet Katie Saporita.

Junior Grade Cadet Lieutenants Jamie Grigonis and Rachel Winkler were designated commanders of the newly formed Blackjack Company A, 8th Regiment.

“The goal of starting the blackjack unit is to set high standards for the cadets in the areas of academics, community service and leadership,” said Major Bill Grigonis, senior instructor of the NJROTC. “The requirements for designation are not easy at all and cadets must work extremely hard.”

New commanders named for each school’s individual company for the remainder of the school year include Chris Cushman in Mattituck, Emmet Bufkins in Southold, and Nick Connell in Greenport.

Drew Sacher, a junior at Southold High School has been named Command Master Chief Petty Officer.

In 2011, the Southold-Mattituck-Greenport NJROTC was named the top unit in the nation, and for the past six years has been named most outstanding in the northeast.