1-in-6,000: Legion of Valor Honors NJROTC Cadet Katarina Schweitzer

Updated at 6:05 p.m. Saturday

Katarina Schweitzer of La Mesa wore her dress uniform instead of an evening gown and a Navy Junior ROTC cap instead of a tiara Friday night when she received her latest honor.

A  senior* at Grossmont High School, Katarina stood with her parents, principal and other dignitaries in the middle of the football field before the Bonita Vista game to be awarded the prestigious Legion of Valor medal.

Crowned Miss Teen San Diego Cities in late May, Katarina won an even more prestigious prize Friday—a bronze cross and certificate. 

The Legion of Valor is a group of Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross recipients who yearly select one NJROTC cadet from more than 6,000 candidates in California and Arizona for the award.

The honor recognizes academic excellence in scholastic achievement, in naval science and is awarded to an NJROTC cadet that demonstrates outstanding leadership and a commitment to NJROTC core values.

With a rank of cadet lieutenant commander, Katarina, 17, is the only NJROTC cadet in California and Arizona to receive this award for the current school year, the group said.

The bronze cross was bestowed in a pregame ceremony on the 50-yard line, where Katarina was joined by Principal Theresa Kemper, Vice Principal Maria Vidal-Fowler, her parents Jack and Robin Schweitzer and Grossmont’s NJROTC naval science instructor chief Flor Buncab.

“Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Schweitzer is one of Grossmont High School’s youth leaders and is the chief of staff of the Grossmont High School NJROTC battalion,” the group said.  “Cadet Schweitzer is in her third year of Navy Junior ROTC … and maintains a 3.61 grade point average.”

During the past school year, Katarina has documented nearly 100 community service hours in support of NJROTC and the school.

After the ceremony, Katarina changed from her dress blues to her other blues—as a cheerleader on the sidelines for the Grossmont Foothillers.

*Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Katarina was a junior at Grossmont High School.