Williams cadets honored in promotion ceremony featuring former Gov. Brown

Oct. 19—Williams Junior/Senior High School in Williams held its first ever California Cadet Corps promotion ceremony on Wednesday evening, honoring 124 students who have progressed from recruit to cadet

Former Gov. Jerry Brown spoke during the ceremony, marking his long-standing support for the Cadet Corps program. Since 1911, the Cadet Corps has been providing California schools with educational and leadership development opportunities for students. According to Brown, students learn discipline and life skills that can carry over to any career of their choosing.

"The goal, of course, is to train young men and women to do their best, to develop skills and opportunities for leadership and new experiences. This is a great opening into the larger world," Brown said. "You can learn discipline, camaraderie, and leadership. Congratulations, good luck, and keep going,"

As a former cadet in his youth, Brown lobbied to start a Cadet Corps branch in Williams, Sgt. Benjamin Federici said. Williams Junior/Senior High started its program in August as a new military science course, and is currently the only school in Northern California to participate in the Cadet Corps. Statewide, over 6,000 students have joined the program, Federici said.