By Kelly White
Richards High School senior Michael Wickman has set his educational bar high.
Wickman, a member of Navy Junior Reserve Officers Corps at the high school, 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn, was recently awarded the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Award for his outstanding achievement in the NJROTC.
“Being Awarded the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross is a reassuring point to me, that tells me I am on the right path,” Wickman, of Chicago Ridge, said. “Also, it gives me more motivation to keep going on in this manner. I feel that NJROTC is a great benefit to students, because it gives them a sense of community, a way to give back to that community, and learn how to be the best version of themselves.”
His instructors could not agree more.
“Michael has always been very professional,” Douglas Groters, Commander, USN Ret. and Senior Naval Science Instructor, for Richards’ NJROTC, said. “He is under-stated in his self-promotion and is quick to help out and volunteer as the need arises. When asked to take on challenging tasks he rises to the occasion and figures it out. He is no different than other students in our school, dealing with many of life’s challenges, but I think he has the resilience to work through those challenges and become a better person as a result of them. This is also a quality of a good leader.”
Wickman was nominated last spring (late April 2023) by Groters, who felt he was the best representative for the award from the high school’s third year cadets at the time.
The NJROTC program is conducted to provide an opportunity for secondary school students to learn the basic elements and requirements for national security and their personal obligations as American citizens to contribute to national security. NJROTC is a leadership program designed to give students a head start. NJROTC develops the self-discipline, self-confidence, and leadership skills to help students successfully meet life’s challenges.
“Students who take NJROTC as a class at Richards have an opportunity to experience a unique, hands-on way of learning about leadership and what it means to be a citizen of the United States,” Groters said. “NJROTC is a student-led organization with instructors facilitating the program and providing mentorship to the students who are wanting to learn more about the art of leadership. Students can also participate in many different competitive teams not normally offered at most high schools such as Basic and Exhibition Drill, Color Guard, Drone Competition and Air Rifle Marksmanship to name a few.”
This year marks Groters 16th year teaching the program at Richards. He previously served as an NJROTC Instructor at Corliss High School from 2003 until 2004 and at Mooseheart Child City and School from 2005 until 2008. Prior to that, he served as an active-duty Naval Officer in Surface Warfare (1982-1987) and in Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) (1988-2003).
“I get the most enjoyment in mentoring young adults,” Groters said. “Teaching them principles of leadership, how to make smart choices and set SMART goals. I enjoy watching the emotional and intellectual maturation process of our cadets who choose to participate in NJROTC for all four years.”
All nominated cadets from the NJROTC program for the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross award were evaluated for their professionalism in the program to include uniform appearance, professional knowledge, academic achievement in all classes, GPA, test scores, participation and physical fitness participation and effort. Student participation in after school competitive teams was also used as an evaluation element.
Wickman was one of only two cadets selected from the area encompassing over 50 NJROTC units throughout the Midwest region.
“Michael has been a steady and reliable individual who has proven over and over his commitment to excellence, professionalism and concern for the individual,” Groters said.
After high school, Wickman plans to intend to attend Moraine Valley Community College before moving on to attend UIC’s School of Pharmacy.