Cove JROTC cadet receives Knights of Columbus sword

By Donavon Ritchie

Special to Leader-Press

It was a very special day and very important day for Copperas Cove JROTC Bulldawg Battalion Commander Cadet Colonel Nadjaliette Hernandez. It was a day she will not soon forget.

Hernandez was awarded the Knights of Columbus fraternal sword for her extreme leadership skills and her contributions and commitment to the JROTC program. To be selected for this award, recipients need a high GPA, serve in one of the top three ranks in the battalion, and demonstrate leadership. Three members from the local Knights of Columbus organization presented the sword to Hernandez, highlighting her leadership skills, her mentorship to fellow cadets, and her demonstration of patriotism.   

The sword presented to Hernandez by the Knights of Columbus was engraved with her name and rank and the name of the award. It is one of the highest civilian honors a JROTC cadet can receive.

Hernandez is a senior at Copperas Cove and served as the JROTC Bulldawg Battalion’s executive officer before being promoted to battalion commander earlier this year.  Hernandez has served in JROTC all four years of her high school career and is also in Pride of Cove band

CCHS JROTC Instructor Chief Warrant Officer 3 Enrique Herrera could not praise Hernandez highly enough.

“Cadet Hernandez has been an outstanding cadet and has proven herself through her leadership skills that will make her go far in life," he said. 

The daughter of an active duty military father who is currently deployed, Hernandez had patriotism and leadership instilled in her from a young age. She plans to attend the University of Texas to study medicine.

“I am honored with this award and happy that I could make my family proud,” Hernandez said.

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest fraternal Catholic organization and is known for its support for the Church and local communities.