Cadet selected to brief VIPs at national JROTC event

Cadet John "Woody" Perry, a cadet entering his junior year at the University of North Georgia (UNG), had the honor of meeting and providing event briefings to "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek and U.S. Undersecretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy while assisting with the Junior ROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) from June 18-26, in Washington, D.C.

Perry is from Dawsonville, Georgia, and pursuing a major in strategic and security studies in the Department of Political Science and International Affairs. He was afforded the opportunity by being chosen to be an aide to retired Army Maj. Terry Wilfong, former UNG employee and president of the College Options Foundation that hosts JLAB. The College Options Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the academic development of high school students and assisting them in their preparation for higher education.

"This was a fantastic professional development opportunity for Cadet Perry and he represented UNG and the Corps of Cadets with distinction," said Greg Killeen, recruiting officer in UNG's Office of Cadet Admissions.

Perry was part of the team assigned to provide briefings and timelines to VIPs attending the event. He also met and assisted Dr. Mick Zais, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and various members of the command staff from U.S. Army Cadet Command, which oversees the nation's Army ROTC cadets.

"I had many great experiences during this trip. I met and worked with many great people and learned much about the business of running an event in a military fashion," Perry said. "I feel that many of my experiences will have practical application in the future and the experience of going to D.C. and seeing the monuments and memorials was priceless."