The winning essay from the 2022 Lt. Gen. Theodore G. Stroup Jr. Achievement Award recipient is available online. 

Named for Stroup, a former Association of the U.S. Army vice president of Education who is now an AUSA senior fellow, the program recognizes Junior ROTC cadets for their achievements. It also aims to “engage the next generation of Soldiers and DoD stakeholders at a young age, to promote their growth into mature members of the defense community and to build an awareness of the Association of the U.S. Army,” according to the association. 

Cheyunne Ahn, a student at Southern High School in Santa Rita, Guam, won the 2022 award with her essay, “Analysis of ‘Lessons in Followership: Good Leaders Aren’t Always Out Front.’ ” Read it here. 

In her essay, Ahn analyzes a Commentary published in ARMY magazine titled, “Lessons in Followership: Good Leaders Aren’t Always Out Front.” The Commentary, published in the June 2021 edition of AUSA’s flagship publication, was written by Lt. Col. Amelia Duran-Stanton and Col. Alicia “Ali” Masson, who discuss how military leaders can become more well-rounded if they learn how to be better followers and know how to best lead and manage followers. 

Maria Tortorelli, a student at Stuttgart High School in Germany, came in second place, while Chloe Barnes from Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon, was the third-place student.  

This was the third year AUSA has held the essay contest, and it is open to JROTC students who are juniors or seniors. Each essay is accompanied by a letter of recommendation and must be focused on a matter relevant to current defense issues or military history.  

With the help of Army Cadet Command, the contest is available to JROTC programs nationwide. Three winners are selected. The award comes with prizes of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000, and may include a two-year AUSA membership. 

The 2023 program opens in February. For more information, click here.