A Cumberland County High School student received recognition for her involvement with the school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program. Cadet Lieutenant Brittny Price, this year’s battalion commander, is the recipient of a Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement.

The 16-year-old received the medal during a ceremony Friday morning during which Brigadier General Edwin Kelley Jr. presented Brittny with the award.

Kelley has received many awards himself, including the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

“I am completely in shock. I never would have thought I would have gotten (this award),” Brittny said.

However, the award came as no surprise to her family, classmates and instructors.

“She’s worked very hard; she earned it,” her father, Bobby Price said.

He said he and his wife, Shannon Price, support their daughter’s decisions and are very proud of her.

Nancy Faxton, a member of Cumberland American Legion Auxiliary Unit 269, said the high school student is one of the auxiliary’s junior members.

“She’s self motivated,” Faxton said. “She’s there to help (and) she attends meetings with the adults. She is very aware of her future and where she wants to go.”

Principal Jeff Scales spoke fondly of Brittny.

“I knew she would do well,” he said, as he talked about Brittny’s initial decision to join JROTC.

He said she came to his office only looking to change her schedule.

“That was a schedule change I’m glad we ended up doing,” Scales said.

During the ceremony, JROTC Senior Army Instructor Lt. Col. William Carter said Brittny has a 4.5 GPA and is enrolled in honor classes and dually enrolled.

Brittny is not only involved with JROTC, but is also a member of National Honor Society and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America, as well as being involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Student Government Association and Project Discover.

Brittny has lettered in both volleyball and softball for the past three years, Carter said.

Brittny said she wishes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy after graduating high school.

The award, created in 1957, is available to both ROTC and JROTC cadets who demonstrate excellence in military, scholastic and civil affairs, according to Carter. To be eligible, cadets have to be in the top 50 percent of their class and in the top 10 percent of their JROTC class academically. Their senior army instructor and principal must recommend the cadet for the award.

Each brigade provides one award for each 4,000 cadets enrolled. Cumberland High School is part of brigade encompassing Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Four awards are authorized for the entire brigade. Nationally, fewer than 60 cadets receive crosses each year.