Get To Know Us

Johanny Torres moved to the United States of America with her family when she was just 3 years old. She got accepted into Facing History back in June 2022. She thought it would be a basic high school. During summer break her family received in their mail information about Graphics Campus NJROTC. Johanny was hesitant to join at first because she didn’t know much about the program. In her school's orientation she decided to sign up after hearing about all the benefits the program can give students. The first couple months of school were normal, going to all her classes and exceeding in them. In November Johanny joined the drill team. The Drill team was a big opportunity for Johanny to get promoted to Petty Officer 3rd Class. From then on Johanny considered joining staff. With many different departments to choose from Johanny, ended up picking Public Affairs. Johanny was trained over a month on what and how the public affairs department does certain things. She was able to assist when it came to updating and redoing boards, taking pictures during events and organizing things out for her department. This training allowed her to become her department’s assistant.When she has free time and has done all she can for her department, Johanny tends to help out other departments. Over all staff has allowed her to create bonds with more students, and get in a higher position herself. Looking up to fellow cadets she saw how many got ribbons to reward their work and dedication. After applying for multiple ribbons, Johanny was presented with her current ribbons: Honor Cadet, NS 1 Outstanding Cadet, Exemplary Conduct, Exemplary Personal Appearance, Participation, Unit Service, Community Service, Drill Tea,. Orienteering and Recruiting. Now in her sophomore year Johanny hopes to be able to do more and continue to have a successful journey. 

Nyialla Henry entered high school with high expectations after completing a successful eighth-grade year. Upon learning that she had been accepted into the Business of Sports School, she was excited for the opportunity to attend the same school as her brother. During the school’s orientation, Nyialla was introduced to the NJROTC program through cadets who were actively recruiting new freshmen. Eager to try something new, she decided to sign up. Although she was unable to attend the Summer Bridge program due to being out of the country, Nyialla began her NJROTC journey with an open mind. At first, the class felt calm and unfamiliar to her, but as the year progressed, she discovered the drill team. Though initially nervous, Nyialla quickly grew to enjoy it. She picked up the movements with ease, which helped her stand out among her peers. Motivated by her progress, she pursued a leadership role by joining the unit staff. Nyialla’s first assignment was in Operations; however, she found the responsibilities limited. She later transferred to Public Affairs, but much of the work had already been completed for that department. Eventually, she joined the Maintenance Department, where she thrived. Shortly after, she was promoted to Petty Officer Third Class and became the Assistant Maintenance Officer. Throughout her time in NJROTC, Nyialla has earned 19 ribbons and 3 medals. Her awards include: Distinguished Cadet, Cadet Achievement, Aptitude, NS lll, NS II, NS I Outstanding Cadet, Exemplary Conduct, Exemplary Personal Appearance, Physical Fitness, Participation, Unit Service, Community Service, Academics, Drill Team, Color Guard, Orienteering, Recruiting, Leadership Training, and STEM. By the end of her freshman year, Nyialla was promoted to Petty Officer First Class by the former Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro. Her sophomore year was less active, but she made a strong return by the end of the year. In her junior year, Nyialla earned the rank of Cadet Ensign during the Annual Military Inspection (AMI) of 2024. Shortly after, she was promoted to Cadet Lieutenant and assumed the role of Head of Maintenance. By the end of her junior year, Nyialla had risen to become both the Executive Officer (XO) and Drill Commander. In the summer of 2025, she attended Leadership Academy/Sail Training, further developing her leadership and naval science skills. Now in her senior year, Cadet commander Nyialla Henry continues to lead by example. As Executive Officer, she is dedicated to guiding her unit and inspiring cadets to strive for excellence in all aspects of NJROTC.

The Command Master Chief, Michelle Prieto-Hernandez, a Mexican-American born in Bronx, New York. When Michelle was accepted into The Business of Sports School located in Graphics Campus, she learned about a program called

'NJROTC’. After seeing what the program offered and the benefits that came with joining the program, Michelle signed up thinking nothing of it. After being in the program for over a year and becoming a sophomore, Michelle gained more recognition and was promoted to a Petty Officer Third Class.

Michelle felt accomplished and excited, then she was offered to join the Staff, although multiple times in the past but she declined joining the staff. But now that Michelle had a better perspective of NJROTC, she accepted and joined the staff. Although there were people who performed better than her, Michelle didn't let her passion stop flowing, watching how her upperclassmen preformed and moved. Michelle was then given the opportunity to join Staff and become the Assistant Weapons Officer. Later on during her junior year, she was offered to become the Command Master Chief of the unit and accepted the role gratefully. Attending the NJROTC Northeast Leadership/Sail Academy and the Naval Academy Summer Seminar, she now believes that she is fully capable of being the Command Master Chief.

Learoy Lian was born in Manhattan and raised in Maryland, and later moved to New York again. Learoy comes from an Asian Lineage and was often met with animosity with everything he has ever encountered. He first joined the NJROTC program as a freshman in 2023 because he wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the military and explore options for his future; his main interest was due to the benefits listed in the program. However, he only ever got involved during his sophomore year to take initiative on his own future. He was ever only concerned with how he would fit into an environment where he would find out how a student-led program would work. Moreover, he was unfamiliar with the setting of the work environment; he pondered how he would adjust and adapt so quickly. He was met with surprise because he fit so well that he seemed to have been in the community in the year prior. My experience in NJROTC went from being the Assistant to the Department of Supply to the Drill Assistant. In the meantime, Learoy will often help with other departments and go around and just converse with the other cadets to learn more about their own personal experiences. He is a well-advised cadet in everything, as he attends most trips and usually connects with people very well. He is well-versed in anything that comes to mind about the NJROTC unit. Learoy did not just climb the ranks without hard work; he showed Honor, Courage, and Commitment.  He has a great interest in the Pre-medical field and plans to go to a college that offers a rigorous Pre-Med program with an immense amount of connections.

Cadet Gazmyn Moore was born and raised in Brooklyn NY 2009. She comes from Frederick Douglass Academy VIII where she began to grow as a person and slowly but surely came out of her shell. In 2023 when she graduated middle school she decided she would like to go somewhere further than where she's from, as a way to try and get out of her comfort zone.That is when she decided the Highschool Of Hospitality Management on West 50th was a perfect option for her because of its diversity as well as potential future interest . After some convincing from her mom she thought joining NJROTC would be a cool opportunity and if she wanted to leave it she had the clear. Not long after she got more and more interested in the program,  drill, maintenance and even becoming the class leader for her group.These new experiences pushed her out of the comfort zone she was stuck in and started showing great dedication and resilience towards the program in her freshman year. Not long after she was promoted to P03 at the end of her freshman year. This promotion made Gazmyn feel very prideful and she made a promise to herself to not let this one promotion get to her head and to keep trying to get higher, which she succeeded in. Towards the beginning of her sophomore year she was then promoted to PO1 after participating in inspection for a drill competition. Gazmyn’s hard work and efforts was recognized by her instructors and she was switched from maintenance to the assistant of OPS which she finds very interesting and delightful to be in. As of now, in the the beginning of her junior year she is a cadet ensign and the head of operations but still plans on continuing her hard work and achieving way more, she is also the XO of echo company and was rewarded  11 ribbons. The ribbons are as stated , NS I Outstanding cadet, Exemplary conduct, Exemplary Personal Appearance, Participation, Unit Service, Community Service, Recruiting, Sea Cruise, Leadership, colorguard, and  NS II outstanding Cadet.

Geannie Cepeda-Cabrera, from Downtown Brooklyn, began her NJROTC journey as a freshman in 2023. What started as a simple search for an after-school activity soon blossomed into a genuine passion for leadership, service, and personal growth. During her freshman year (2023–2024), Geannie started in the Maintenance Department, where she built a strong foundation of responsibility, discipline, and teamwork. Her curiosity and determination led her to explore new opportunities, and she soon transitioned into Admin, where she continued to develop her skills and contribute to the unit. As she entered her sophomore year (2024–2025), Geannie fully dedicated herself to the Operations Department, a role that allowed her to shine as a dependable and motivated cadet. Through her consistent effort, leadership, and grace under pressure, Geannie ascended through the ranks, earning a promotion to Petty Officer First Class (PO1)—a proud reflection of her commitment and growth.That same year, her hard work was recognized when she received a distinguished honor from the National Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars, Inc. for her outstanding performance in the Graphics Campus Navy Junior ROTC program. This award highlighted not only her achievements but also her dedication to excellence within the unit.Geannie continues to embody the values of NJROTC with confidence, perseverance, and heart. Her journey reflects her determination to grow as a leader and her ability to inspire others to aim higher and never lose sight of their goals.

Yadibel Rosario, a first-generation Dominican-American was born and raised in NYC. Growing up she attended a predominantly white elementary and middle school. However, she didn't let her upbringing change who she was, how she views herself, and her identity in her culture. Her parents did everything to make sure she had a comfortable life and great education, and for that, she makes sure that she excels in her classes and whatever she takes part in. She currently attends High School Of Hospitality management, on West 50th Street campus. In high school, she also managed to stay on the honor roll the entire school year, which resulted in not only gaining academic recognition, but also appreciation from her peers and teachers. She has done numerous extracurricular activities such as cheer, cooking programs, leadership roles, and of course NJROTC. Yadibel joined NJROTC in her freshman year of high school. Starting off as a normal seaman recruit, she wanted to get higher in the chain of command, so she decided to join the administration department which allowed her to gain new responsibility and meaning within NJROTC. By the end of her freshman year, she was promoted to Cadet Petty Officer 1st class on May 23rd, 2023. However her achievements didn't end there, by the end of her junior  year she was promoted to Cadet Lieutenant Commander, and continues to serve as the Head Administration Officer.

Cadet Petty Officer First Class Josiah Royal, born in Brooklyn in 2010 and raised in Manhattan, is a sophomore at GatewayTech High School and a dedicated member of Graphics Campus NJROTC. Since joining in the second semester of his freshman year, he has embraced leadership roles in drill, color guard, and departmental work, earning promotion to Petty Officer First Class by year’s end. Josiah competed in his first drill event in March 2025 and quickly advanced to staff roles in Operations and Administration, where he improved communication and roster systems. He currently supports both the Admin and Training departments, creating study guides and quizzes that help cadets succeed in promotions, inspections, and drills. Known for his discipline, accountability, and leadership, Josiah helps maintain squad readiness and supports the growth of emerging NCOs. He holds numerous NJROTC awards and maintains a strong academic record, with a 3.8 GPA. Valued for his composure and team-first mindset, he works to raise standards and represent his unit with pride.

Henry Andrews was born in Washington Heights, New York, in 2009. In elementary school, he moved to Hamilton Heights to be closer to his school. For middle school, he attended Hamilton Grange until he graduated in 2023. In 2023, he was accepted into Urban Assembly Gateway School for Technology. It was then that he learned about NJROTC. Henry discovered NJROTC through a letter in the mail over the summer and immediately wanted to join. In his freshman year, he wasn't very active in the unit and started his sophomore year with the rank of seaman. However, Henry joined the supply department early in his sophomore year and quickly found a passion for working there. Soon after joining supply, Henry was promoted to PO1. Throughout his sophomore year, he obtained 4 ribbons. At the end of his sophomore year, Henry was appointed Supply Officer and promoted to the rank of Ensign. When working in the unit, Henry puts in as much effort as possible and works hard to keep the supply department running as efficiently and organized as possible.

Leilani Horry, born and raised in East Harlem, joined Graphics Campus NJROTC in 2023 as a freshman, following in the footsteps of a relative who had been in the program. She quickly stood out as a class leader and was invited to join the drill team after showing strong leadership potential. By her sophomore year, she was active in both the supply and training departments and earned a promotion to Ensign by the end of 2024. Now serving as Training Department Head, Leilani is known for her discipline, honesty, and steady leadership. Her contributions have earned her multiple ribbons, including NS1 Outstanding Cadet, Exemplary Conduct, and Academic Team. She continues to set a high standard and inspire others in the unit.

Chaz Goddard, originally from the Dominican Republic and raised in Harlem, joined Graphics Campus NJROTC in 2023 as a freshman. Initially skeptical, he grew to love the program through encouragement from fellow cadets and chiefs. By sophomore year, he became deeply involved, joining the unarmed and armed drill teams, as well as the Maintenance, IT, and Training departments. He also competed with the Academic and PT teams and became an active staff member. His dedication earned him a promotion to Chief Petty Officer and a seat on the NJROTC board. Though once unsure about continuing, he was inspired to stay by those who saw his potential. Today, he embodies NJROTC’s values of honor, courage, and commitment. His journey reflects growth, resilience, and a deep passion for the unit and its mission.

Ricardo Toste, from the Bronx, began his journey in October of 2023; When he started his journey as a sophomore, he was concerned that he joined NJROTC late. He believed not only was it a big commitment but also that he would be behind the rest of his class. In the upcoming year, he ended up joining the weapons department, he found it really cool that there was more to JROTC than it seemed. His motivated attitude got him to rank up from Seaman Recruit to a seaman. Even though his rank isn’t the highest, this doesn’t stop his motivation to keep on doing his job and to patiently know that it takes time and effort, so he put in more effort. All of his work paid off because he ended up receiving lots of more recognition in the department. This cadet has obtained six ribbons and promotion to the assistant of the weapons department . Ricardo is a hard working and academically achieving person, he will continue to keep learning and improving.

Zamir Karimov is a strong extrovert who lives in Washington Heights, Manhattan, NY. He was born in a small Asian country called Tajikistan, then immigrated to Russia when he was 9 years old, and then he migrated to the US in 2022. Zamir's first language was Tajik, but he forgot it, because he was mainly speaking Russian. When he migrated to the US, he started learning English and now it is his main language. He is still searching and thinking about his future, but he is thinking about a Computer Science Major. In three years from now he wants to join MIT or Boston University, but they require a lot of knowledge, so he will study hard. In NJROTC Zamir is a part of the IT Department, where he helps with setting up and taking care of everything tech related, such as desktops, speakers or consoles. He is really interested in participating in various trips, such as Orienteering or Bowling. He is also participating in Community Service Events, such as Veterans Day Parade or Breast Cancer Walk. Zamir Karimov has acquired a variety of ribbons, which include Participation, Community Service, Unit Service, Naval Science I Outstanding Cadet, Exemplary Personal Appearance and Orienteering . Overall, Zamir Karimov is a hard working cadet who likes his job at the IT Department of NJROTC and will always help when asked to.

Olga Gopka was born in 2008 in Moscow. Throughout the first ten – and just a little more – years of her life, she had traveled to over ten countries, rapidly changing the status of a traveler to that of an immigrant with the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Since then she had changed numerous cities and several countries, until life dropped her off in Manhattan, New York, in the December of 2024. Despite English being far from a Native tongue to her, through some online talk when she was 13, it quickly developed to be an integral part of herself. She joined NJROTC in her Junior year, convinced by a friend of hers who was already part of the team. There, she quickly started helping the friend, finding herself fond of the work. She is a responsible and hard-working person, who shall make sure that all work is always done and doesn’t require an improvement.

Cadet Brianna Rodriguez was born in the Dominican Republic and raised both there and in the United States. She currently attends Facing History High School, where she joined NJROTC as a freshman. At the beginning of her first year, Brianna earned the rank of Cadet Petty Officer Third Class, and through her consistent dedication and hard work, she was promoted to Cadet Petty Officer First Class by the end of her freshman year. Along the way, she has earned medals and multiple ribbons, including the Participation Ribbon and the NS I Outstanding Cadet Ribbon. These achievements reflect her determination, growth, and commitment to the program. 

Now in her sophomore year, Brianna continues to serve proudly as a Cadet Petty Officer First Class. She is focused on building her leadership skills, taking on new responsibilities, and striving for higher ranks within NJROTC, while also representing Facing History High School with pride.

Kwame Stephen originates from Las Vegas, Nevada, and moved to Brooklyn, New York, at a young age with his loving family of four. His interest in the program started when he saw the cadets explain the benefits and skills you can gain from the program at the start of his 8th-grade year. since then he has had a great interest in the program at the end of his middle school senior year  he searched for a high school that had a unit till he found the high school of hospitality and management which had partnered with graphics campuses. He and his peers have pushed him to keep doing better and better at what he does and it gives himself a sense of discipline from those experiences. This has proven to help this cadet a lot as he has been promoted to PT coordinator after joining and being actively there the previous head, Deany Martinez, chose him after seeing his dedication and leadership skills in play he already had a great mind for exercise it was just a matter of training him the amount of exercise the other cadets needed, and he has been promoted from petty officer second class  to ensign in his on going third year of the program he has also been awarded eight ribbons in the starting months of his second year in the program. He carries great respect for the men and women in the military, and through this program, he is slowly being persuaded to join. He loves this program and will try to do it and enjoy it for the time he has it.

Drone Department Head Declan O'Reilly initially joined the Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps in 2023 in his freshman year of high school. Displaying leadership and attending NJROTC events, he caught the eye of the upperclassmen of the program, and nearing the end of Sophomore year, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (Pay Grade E-7) and was promoted to be the head of the Drone Department. He plans to lead himself and the rest of the division to be distinguished among drone competitions.