Miss-Delectable
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Deaf, mute teen
Ready and at attention he stood among his fellow cadets overcome with pride.
He couldn’t help but think about how much he has achieved this semester despite his circumstances.
Even though the road was rough, and he faced many obstacles, 17-year-old Justin Broxton proved to himself that he can do anything he sets his mind to no matter the limits.
Broxton was born deaf and mute.
On Wednesday he was recognized for his dedication and hard work as a successful cadet during the Halifax County High School biannual JROTC award ceremony held in the Halifax County High School auditorium. The purpose of the ceremony was to recognize and reward JROTC cadets for their achievements during the course of the semester.
“He became a powerful example for all the cadets, and I wanted to let him know that all of us appreciated how hard he worked to become a cadet,” Lt. Col. Alvin Sykes said.
Broxton always wanted to be a part of the JROTC, something he let Sykes know every chance he got.
He and his interpreter were determined to make sure he became a cadet.
“I wanted to be a part of JROTC because I never experienced it before, and I always really liked it,” Broxton said through his interpreter following the ceremony Wednesday.
His interpreters were persistent in giving him a chance because he wanted to be in JROTC.
“They were very confident he could learn the skills. I thought it could work with their dedication and his determination because he was so persistent. Every time I saw him in school he would run up to me, and he would try to tell me in his own way he wanted to be a cadet,” Sykes said.
Broxton faced many struggles in the process of becoming a cadet, but his perseverance helped him push through and reach his goal. He has grown tremendously over the semester, according to his peers and family.
“Marching was really challenging for me,” Broxton said through his interpreter. “Being a part of JROTC has made me disciplined; discipline helps me in making good decisions.”
Tammy Broxton, Justin’s mother, commented on the positive influence JROTC has made on her son.
“He’s more attentive with the things he does, and he’s more disciplined,” she said.
“His confidence and self- esteem has grown over the semester. There were a lot of frustrating days for him. So many of the JROTC movements are exact and with precision and have to be executed instantly. He had to memorize all of them by sight and by memory. Having the physical dexterity to learn and do the physical activities is difficult in itself. It wasn’t easy for him to learn all the things he learned to do in a group,” Sykes added.
Although Broxton has experienced some rough times, he has been surrounded by plenty of support.
“There were times he wanted to give up, but he had excellent support from Ms. Brinson (his interpreter). They did an excellent job of keeping him encouraged. The cadets really reached out to him. They were all bending over backwards to help him succeed. I think they learn a lot from him,” Sykes said.
Broxton’s mother has seen the positive changes JROTC has made in her son’s life and is very proud of what he has achieved.
“I love it,” she said. “I think he’s done really good. He comes home every day and tells me stuff that happened in JROTC. He’s come a long way.”
Broxton thinks that all kids with disabilities who want to participate in school groups and extra-curricular activities should reach for their goals.
His mother added, “This just goes to show you that just because you have a disability, it shouldn’t stop you from succeeding in life.”
“Nothing is impossible You can achieve all your dreams just like everybody else,” Sykes agreed.
Ready and at attention he stood among his fellow cadets overcome with pride.
He couldn’t help but think about how much he has achieved this semester despite his circumstances.
Even though the road was rough, and he faced many obstacles, 17-year-old Justin Broxton proved to himself that he can do anything he sets his mind to no matter the limits.
Broxton was born deaf and mute.
On Wednesday he was recognized for his dedication and hard work as a successful cadet during the Halifax County High School biannual JROTC award ceremony held in the Halifax County High School auditorium. The purpose of the ceremony was to recognize and reward JROTC cadets for their achievements during the course of the semester.
“He became a powerful example for all the cadets, and I wanted to let him know that all of us appreciated how hard he worked to become a cadet,” Lt. Col. Alvin Sykes said.
Broxton always wanted to be a part of the JROTC, something he let Sykes know every chance he got.
He and his interpreter were determined to make sure he became a cadet.
“I wanted to be a part of JROTC because I never experienced it before, and I always really liked it,” Broxton said through his interpreter following the ceremony Wednesday.
His interpreters were persistent in giving him a chance because he wanted to be in JROTC.
“They were very confident he could learn the skills. I thought it could work with their dedication and his determination because he was so persistent. Every time I saw him in school he would run up to me, and he would try to tell me in his own way he wanted to be a cadet,” Sykes said.
Broxton faced many struggles in the process of becoming a cadet, but his perseverance helped him push through and reach his goal. He has grown tremendously over the semester, according to his peers and family.
“Marching was really challenging for me,” Broxton said through his interpreter. “Being a part of JROTC has made me disciplined; discipline helps me in making good decisions.”
Tammy Broxton, Justin’s mother, commented on the positive influence JROTC has made on her son.
“He’s more attentive with the things he does, and he’s more disciplined,” she said.
“His confidence and self- esteem has grown over the semester. There were a lot of frustrating days for him. So many of the JROTC movements are exact and with precision and have to be executed instantly. He had to memorize all of them by sight and by memory. Having the physical dexterity to learn and do the physical activities is difficult in itself. It wasn’t easy for him to learn all the things he learned to do in a group,” Sykes added.
Although Broxton has experienced some rough times, he has been surrounded by plenty of support.
“There were times he wanted to give up, but he had excellent support from Ms. Brinson (his interpreter). They did an excellent job of keeping him encouraged. The cadets really reached out to him. They were all bending over backwards to help him succeed. I think they learn a lot from him,” Sykes said.
Broxton’s mother has seen the positive changes JROTC has made in her son’s life and is very proud of what he has achieved.
“I love it,” she said. “I think he’s done really good. He comes home every day and tells me stuff that happened in JROTC. He’s come a long way.”
Broxton thinks that all kids with disabilities who want to participate in school groups and extra-curricular activities should reach for their goals.
His mother added, “This just goes to show you that just because you have a disability, it shouldn’t stop you from succeeding in life.”
“Nothing is impossible You can achieve all your dreams just like everybody else,” Sykes agreed.