Not many know about the National Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Award but Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Fraser Pearson is not one of those people. Pearson is one of the many students that has been dedicated to the JROTC program here at North Atlanta and all of his hard work and dedication has finally paid off.

The National Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Award is a recognition given by the United States Army and Cadet Pearson was the only person in Georgia to receive this award. It is the highest award given by the U.S. Army to the JROTC programs. It honors cadets from Reserve Officer Training Corps who demonstrate excellence in leadership, scholastic and civic affairs.

Not only has Pearson worked incredibly hard in the JROTC program, but he is has also shown outstanding academic dedication by being in the International Baccalaureate Diploma and holding a 3.7 GPA. Not only does he work hard in school, he also spends time as a Junior Leadership Academic Bowl Team Captain, Color Guard Commander, Honor Guard participent, and JROTC Battalion Staff Adjutant Officer. Throughout his time in JROTC he has more than 300 service hours from JROTC activities, Boy Scouts, and volunteering as a camp counselor.

This award did not come easy to Pearson, he has been in JROTC for four years now. One would think that after so much work in JROTC, he would want to go into the army, but that is not the case. Pearson is considering college ROTC and is seeking a possible appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Absent that possible prestigious opportunity, Pearson said he hopes to attend the University of Georgia to pursue a major in either business or finance.

Some in the program have known that JROTC is always something they have wanted to be apart of, but not Pearson. He came in to high school and choose to be apart of JROTC as a “spur of the moment decision.” When faced with the choice of going into the arts or JROTC, he chose JROTC.  Throughout his time in the program, he has worked diligently to get to this point. “Getting this award meant a lot to me because of how much work I have put in,” said Pearson, “I’ve put in so many service hours, stayed after school many, many days, and kept track of my priorities. I knew if I didn’t do it, no one else would.”

For Pearson, it was gratifying to be so honored. “Now that I have this title, I have to be the best of the best at all events,” he said. “It really puts a new level of pressure on me.”

It is clear that Pearson has been dedicated to this program from freshman year and all of his hard work has finally been recognized by the United states Army. For Pearson, this has provided him with a feeling of honor and pride. “If you really want something, you have to work for it and fight until you get there.”