Story by: LTC (R) Ellis H. Riser
Photos by: Yearbook Staff
On Thursday, 2 November 2023, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Katelyn Hulsey of Northwest Rankin High School was presented the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement by MG (Ret) Harold A. Cross, former Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard. Cadet Hulsey is a senior at Northwest Rankin High School and is currently serving as the Cadet Battalion Commander of Northwest Rankin’s Army JROTC Program. She has also served as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major and Company First Sergeant in previous years.
As part of the JROTC Program, she is active on the Physical Training, Orienteering, and Raider Teams. She is a 3-time member and recently served as Captain of the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl Team. Last year’s team advanced to the Championships in Washington DC. She has also attended the National Flight Academy at Pensacola Naval Air Station and the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge. Through JROTC, Cadet Hulsey has received the Association of the US Army Leadership Award, the National Sojourners JROTC Leadership Award, and the Superior Cadet Award.
At school, she is a member of numerous organizations including the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Club, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), National English Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society. Cadet Hulsey is a member of the school’s Power Lifting Team and Track Team, where she received numerous accolades including setting the State Pole Vault Record of 13 Feet as the 2022 State Champion. School awards include being named Northwest Rankin HS Student of the Month and receiving the Cougar Award twice.
She is ranked 28th in her class of 430 seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 4.00 and an ACT score of 30. Outside of the school, she is focused on giving back to the community having accumulated over 150 community service hours. After graduation, Cadet Hulsey plans to attend the University of Mississippi majoring in Bio-Chemical Engineering while also competing on the Rebel’s Track and Field Team.