CHINA GROVE — South Rowan High School Cadet Lt. Col. Misty Parrish received the Legion of Valor, Bronze Cross for Achievement in a ceremony at South Rowan High School.
This award is the most distinguished decoration a JROTC cadet can receive.
Parrish was one of 34 Army JROTC cadets in the nation to be selected for this honor.
The Legion of Valor is the oldest congressionally chartered veteran’s organization in the United States. It is made up of veterans from all services who have received either the Medal of Honor or their respective service’s highest award for gallantry (Navy Cross, Army Distinguished Service Cross or Air Force Cross)
The award recognizes leadership, scholarship and community service. Presenting the award was Legion of Valor member Col. John Edward Gray (retired).
Like its sponsoring organization, selection criteria for the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement are very high, and recipients become part of a very exclusive fraternity.
Parrish will be featured in the Legion of Valor journal “General Orders,” which will be maintained as a permanent record in the Library of Congress.
Parrish is a senior at South Rowan High School. She is in the top 5 percent of her graduating class and is a member of the National Honor Society.
As a cadet, Parrish has distinguished herself by attaining the highest rank within the Corps of Cadets and has been promoted to the top leadership position of battalion commander.
Additionally, Parrish is the Commander of South Rowan’s nationally recognized JROTC drill team. She is also the commander of South Rowan’s competition color guard, honor guard, adventure team and air rifle team.
She has been the top shooter on the air rifle team for three consecutive years. Parrish is an active member of her church and plans to attend Appalachian State University to double major in environmental science and ecology.