Grant J. Smith, a senior at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at Sandy Hook, took the third-place award across the nation in a recent essay contest on the Constitution.

The award for the essay is from the National Sojourners and included both a $1,000 check and a plaque. From the Sojourners. It was presented at the annual Pass in Review Ceremony at MAST.

To enter the national essay competition, Smith, of Brielle, had to describe a document, law, Supreme Court decision or amendment to the Constitution that had a powerful impact both on the United States and on the community of nations. It was open to students from 9 to 12^th grades and the essay had to be submitted to the National Sojourners Headquarters by January.

The National Sojourners is an organization of current and former members of the uniformed services of the United States and Honorary Members, who are Master Masons, in Chapters across the country , for the promotion of fellowship and among other ideals, supporting all patriotic aims and activities in Masonry, developing true patriotism and Americanism throughout the nation, bringing together representatives of the uniformed services of the United States (past and present) in a united effort to further the military needs of national defense, and  opposing any influence calculated to weaken the national security.

As his essay, Smith chose the 13^th amendment to the Constitution, which banned slavery, and referenced six sources of information for his essay, from the Constitution to news sources. as well as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Here is Smith’s essay.

The Thirteenth Amendment serves as a role model among the greater community of nations by protecting the basic human rights that were previously disregarded by lawmakers and citizens. Ratified on December 6, 1865, this amendment abolished the use of slavery in the United States of America.

The Thirteenth Amendment was written after the Emancipation Proclamation failed to abolish slavery in Union territory and Abraham Lincoln recognized its shortcomings. He responded to this by drafting the Thirteenth Amendment, legislation that would apply to the entire nation. It took nearly nine months for the amendment to pass through Congress because the House of Representatives initially did not pass it, but on January 31 of 1865, the House passed the bill with a vote of 119 to 56.

            The Thirteenth Amendment, reading as follows, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction” would later influence legislation that created footholds worldwide.

            On September 25, 1926, the League of Nations signed the 1926 Slavery Convention. The goal of the convention was to suppress slavery and the slave trade, which was further extended in 1956 under the United Nations with the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery. In summation, these two conventions include 24 articles of terms related to the suppression of slavery, in which over 233 parties participated.

            In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, (UDHR). The UDHR is a document representing various legal and cultural backgrounds that outlines fundamental human rights and how they should be protected worldwide. The UDHR is well renowned for inspiring more than seventy human rights treaties that are still in effect today.

            The Thirteenth Amendment of the United States constitution has helped pave the way for human rights around the world, setting the minimum standard for quality of life. The abolition of slavery in the United States created an even bigger push for equal rights for all human beings regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation at the international level. Eventually, the international conventions discussed these matters and adopted documents that outline basic rights for all humans.

Cadets

The annual Pass in Review ceremony at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology also marks the last time the senior class Cadets appears in their military NJROTC uniforms and the new Battalion Leadership for the current school year steps down and introduces the leadership Battalion for the 2023-24 school year.

There are also several community organizations who are very supportive of the NJROTC program and recognize cadets who stand out from their peers in a way that is in accordance with the principles of each particular organization.

Not that every cadet of the Class of 2023 is not honored and recognized for outstanding achievements throughout the year. The 12 senior cadets who participated in the NJROTC national drill contest in Pensacola last month together received 72 full scholarships to colleges, universities and the military academies.

Currently, MAST graduates are in West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force, and the Merchant Marine academies, with two of this year’s graduates going to the Naval Academy after graduation. Each of the MAST graduates who applied for scholarships has earned at least one. Two students are going to college on ROTC scholarships.

At the Pass in Review, Gail Han, Honorary Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presented certificates and medals to seniors and underclassmen Cadets Isabella Colgan, Abigail Hesterhagen and Angelina Vaclavik. Their citations read:

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution has awarded the bronze ROTC medal in recognition of outstanding leadership qualities, military bearing, and excellence, thus exemplifying the high ideals and principles which motivated and sustained our patriot ancestors.

The citation was signed by both Ms. Hahn and. Signed Gail Hahn, Honorary Regent, and Julia Miller Rogers, National Chair.

Ed Glidden presented the National Society of the Sons of American Revolution award for outstanding leadership qualities, military bearing and principles which motivated and sustained patriot ancestors to Cadet Noah Cuttrell.

Glidden also presented the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War award to Cadet Brandon Weiss because of his demonstrated high degree of patriotism to his nation and superb academic performance and leadership.  The organization is a fraternal organization dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of veteran heroes who fought and worked to save the Union in the American Civil War.

 The Military Officers Association of America, a professional association of US military officers that advocates for both a strong national defense, and government policies that benefit military members and their families also presented awards.  William Guderian  Captain, USN (ret) of the New Jersey Lakes and Pines Chapter presented the MOAA JROTC medal to Cadet Sam Puleio for having demonstrated exceptional potential for military leadership as a member of the MAST’s NJROTC unit.

Lieutenant Colonel Sands of The National Sojourners, an American patriotic organization of Freemasons who serve or have served in the uniformed services present awards  to support and promote patriotic and Masonic activities and values presented award that recognize cadets who have encouraged and demonstrated the ideals of Americanism by deed or conduct and demonstrate potential for outstanding leadership to Cadet Tejas Rajan.

The National Sojourners also sponsor an annual nationwide essay contest. This year’s essay prompt was to describe a document, law, Supreme Court decision, or an amendment to the Constitution that had a great impact to both the United States and to the community of nations. Cadet Grant Smith wrote about the impact of the 13th amendment to the US Constitution and placed third in the nation, receiving a $1000 scholarship. Lt.Col. Sands presented the award to Cadet Smith.

 The Military Order of the Purple Heart, an organization comprised of combat-wounded veterans who strive to promote patriotism, goodwill, camaraderie, and service to all veterans and their families, presented Cadet Abdelrahman Agami with a certificate and medal based on his exemplary leadership demonstrated while enrolled in a Junior Reserve Officer Training Course.

Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman, senior naval instructor at MAST, presented for The Military Order of the World Wars, a patriotic veterans service organization founded in 1919 by officers who served under General of the Armies John J. “Blackjack” Pershing. The purpose of the Order is to promote patriotism, civic responsibility, public service and leadership in the nation’s communities. Their motto is “It is nobler to serve than to be served.”  The organization presented its JROTC Award of Merit to Cadet Jack Arhanic.

The citation reads:

For improvement in military proficiency, academic studies and community actions. By his actions, Cadet Arhanic displays the potential for future military leadership. His attitude towards service to the United States of America is an example to his classmates

The citation was signed by Lt Col. William Rapp, Commander of New Jersey chapter #246. The American Legion is the organization whose missions is to enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, the military, and communities by their devotion to mutual helpfulness.  Legion Post #346 in Neptune presented the medal of Military Excellence to Cadet Ronan Alo and the Medal of Academic Excellence to Cadet Jake Lindmark.

Unit 346 of the American Legion Auxiliary, an organization which supports the American Legion advocated for veterans, educates citizens, mentors youth, and promotes patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.  That unit presented the Medal of Military Excellence to Cadet Summer Sesty, and the medal of Academic Excellence to Cadet Emily Gravina.

 The Surface Navy Association promotes greater coordination and communication to those in the military, business, and academic communities, who share a common interest in Surface Warfare. Commander Smith-Yeoman, in presenting the award, noted that Stephen Decatur, one of America’s earliest naval heroes, commanded several ships during the Revolutionary War, and is the youngest person to reach the rank of captain in the history of the Navy. The Surface Navy Association presented awards in his name Cadets Erin White and Cadet Gregory Noll, signed, Richard Hunt, Vice Admiral, US Navy Retired, President of the Association.

In the tradition of MAST, at the end of the ceremony, Cadet Lieutenant Commander James Treshock, the outgoing deputy battalion commander, introduced  each of the cadets from the outgoing Senior Class as they walked under an arch of swords to symbolize their transition from NJROTC cadets and MAST students to graduates and alumni of the school.