For freshman and go-getter Eden Perry, Tuesdays end with her seventh-period NJROTC elective, followed by drill and basketball practice. Earlier this month the usual lessons, drills and physical training of NJROTC class were replaced by a celebration of the new cadet’s achievement.
On Jan. 13, recognized in front of her parents and classmates, Perry received a personalized plaque and $250 award from Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2380 Commander Dave Nelson. Perry was recognized as an “outstanding spokesperson for freedom” for having won the Voice of Democracy scholarship for the district.
“I like writing and I’m good at writing essays and I also love patriotism. And there was nothing to lose, so I just wanted to try it [applying] and see what the outcome would be and just for my first [essay contest], to see how I would do,” Perry said.
The result was a district-level victory as Perry triumphs over all other applicants, showcasing her devotion to and impact on our country. In less than one year as a high schooler, she’s shown a unique emotional maturity and leadership excellence, sure to last for three more years of achievement beyond the scholarship.
As required by the VFW program, Perry submitted a 3-5 minute audio essay responding to the prompt “How Are You Showing Patriotism And Support For Our Country?” She’d previously mentioned her interest in applying to her parents, who were notified by call of her district-level win, along with a letter addressed to her.
“I didn’t realize there were a bunch of different levels,” Perry said.
Five days prior to the ceremony, Chief Daniel R. Trainor Jr reached out to set a date where Perry’s parents could – unbeknownst to Perry – be present for her acknowledgement.
“She was very surprised to see her dad and I there, she wasn’t sure what that was about!” Eden’s mother Lisa Perry said. “It was definitely an honor for us to witness her receiving this in front of all of her classmates. The Commander had such wonderful things to say about her and her essay.”
From both her family and scholarship, Eden Perry’s powerful character proves to be easy to praise.
“I loved that I was [recognized] in front of [the] ROTC [unit], especially since I’m a very patriotic person. Everybody knows that. So it was really nice to receive that because I had no idea any of that was happening,” Perry said. “My parents were there and everything, so it just felt really special that that happened.”
A witness to Perry’s recognition, sophomore Yanelisse Montanez, is also a cadet in seventh period NJROTC. Montanez spoke on Perry’s patriotism.
“I consider her very patriotic [because of] the way she carries herself and expresses her love for America, if you see her around school, she always has something [American] on her, whether it’s an American flag hoodie, water bottle or shoes,” Montanez said.
For Americans, the word “patriotism” means different things. Perry views it as the ultimate celebration of American pride.
“I think patriotism is representing what you believe in and representing where you’re from and just all the benefits you get to have and that you’ve earned,” Perry said.
This was Perry’s first time submitting for a contest and facing the challenges of scholarship contest applications.
“I think [the hardest part was] making sure what I had [in] the essay was, like, completely true and I had to make it make it like a professional essay just because it’s just based [on] yourself so there’s not a ton of guidelines to follow,” Perry said. “But just making sure it sounded good and that it’s what I actually have done [showing patriotism].”
Perry is currently the Colorguard Commander and the Armed Regulations Drill Team Commander in NJROTC. From her commitment she’s been recognized with the Physical Training, Drill and Overall Honor Cadet Award.
“Eden is very involved in sports, volunteering and helping in the community, but her number one priority right now is NJROTC,” L. Perry said.
Outside the unit, Perry is soaring through the ranks of Eagle Scouts with flying colors and five awards won through the program.
“She is dedicated and committed to whatever she puts her mind to and she accomplishes it without fail,” L. Perry said. “Anything involving our country and the Red White and Blue, she will have some sort of role in…achiev[ing] great things. I wouldn’t be surprised one day if I got to fly on Air Force One because of my daughter, not as the pilot but as the president.”
