Washoe Country School District
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Jantima Becker's Profile
McQueen Senior Commands Academic and Military Discipline
Student: Jantima Becker
School: McQueen High School
McQueen High School earned a distinguished honor in March this year when its battalion commander, senior Jantima Becker, led the school’s Junior Reserve Office Training Corps students to a record 99 percent ranking on the school’s formal inspection. McQueen ranked high among more than 160 schools who also participated in such an inspection.
“That was the biggest accomplishment ever,” Jantima said. “It was a huge honor for me and all the seniors who helped out.”
The four-year cadet will cross the stage in June to receive her high school diploma.
Jantima has been involved in JROTC for all four years of high school. She was chosen to be battalion commander, the top-ranking student, after a strict interview process with the previous year’s battalion commander, deputy and chief of staff. She had to demonstrate she was a well-rounded student.
Col. Norbert Czech, director of ROTC for the District, said Jantima has approached her position and the program with dependability and trustworthiness.
“I have personally seen Jan in her classes and observed when she worked with her peers and I am convinced she is a responsible young person whose honesty and integrity are beyond reproach,” Czech said. “Jan possesses outstanding leadership qualities such as moral courage, intelligence, premier judgement and a strong work ethic. She is a valuable asset to McQueen High School and the WCSD JROTC program.”
Jantima also worked as a peer mentor to incoming freshmen to help them in their transition to high school. She coordinated that program with those students who were new to JROTC as well.
“At the beginning of the year, we would meet at least once or twice a week or before finals week to show them how how finals work, this is when lunch is, then you go home and study because it’s dead day and you have to be ready,” she said. “We would show them the ropes.”
Jantima said she has a passion to help people, which she hopes to continue when she studies to be a pharmacist in college. She will attend the University of Nevada, Reno during the first two years of her college studies then transfer to the University of California, San Diego.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field, but I don’t like blood,” she said with a laugh.
