Rosemont — Cadet Corps members described recent parades, leadership training and community events at a Southern Kern Unified School District board meeting, where district leaders also announced that three campuses had been designated Purple Star Schools by the California Department of Education.

The presentation included accounts of the cadets’ participation in the Armed Forces Day Parade and Wreaths Across America, expanded training in drones and firefighting, and community emergency response team (CERT) exercises. “Our main goal of our CERT program is that we want to be prepared for emergencies in our community and in our school,” First Lieutenant Nathan (Cadet Corps) said during the presentation.

Superintendent (name not specified) told the board the district applied for Purple Star designation this fall and that all three submitted campuses were selected. “They have selected all three of our schools as Purple Star Schools: Rosemont High Early College Campus, Tropico Middle School and West Park Elementary,” the superintendent said, describing the designation as a marker for military families that a school is prepared to support the social and educational needs of military children.

Board members, district staff and cadets highlighted other recent activities: a visit to Edwards Air Force Base that included meeting military leaders, the presentation of awards including a cadet-of-the-semester certificate, and cadet-led flag presentations at community events. Staff Sergeant Dozier and other cadet leaders recounted outreach to younger students and veterans and the cadet corps’ role in funerals and memorial events.

The board acknowledged the cadets’ public-speaking role. Board President (name not specified) and several trustees praised the program’s community contributions and noted the district is planning a new CTE building that will include space for the cadet corps.

District and cadet speakers emphasized the cadet program’s community service, leadership development and support for military families; no formal board action was taken on the presentation itself.