An Unforgettable Evening For Alums

An Unforgettable Evening For Alums

An Unforgettable Evening For Alums

An Unforgettable Evening For Alums

An Unforgettable Evening For Alums

03/21/2024|Staff

For cadets, the Military Ball is similar to the high school prom, and in many cases, cadets opt to attend the Military Ball rather than go to the prom. It's a night that features the military structure, formality and traditions associated with military pomp and circumstances. Held on March 9th, this year’s event encapsulated the essence of reconnecting and celebrating a shared past thanks to a table of alums in attendance.

The Alumni Table Sponsored by The Digital WOW

Most of us who’ve passed through the JROTC program know that the Military Ball is one of the most memorable things that occurs when you’re a cadet. The alumni table started a few years ago when former cadet COL Paul Ramkissoon reconnected with the program and decided to sponsor an alumni table, through his company The Digital WOW, to get alumni back together and reconnect with them. Fast-forward several years and the alumni table is a stable fixture at the annual Military Ball. It has also expanded beyond that to include sponsoring a table for cadets who require financial assistance to attend. This table sponsorship is more than just a generous act; it's a symbol of unity, continuity and purpose. It is a beacon to all alumni – a call to be present in the moments that define not just the evening but the very essence of our collective history. 

Some Alums with Army Instructor 1SG (ret) McNair

The Military Ball was well-attended by our alumni. At our table, we had:

• Class of 1993 Cadet COL Paul Ramkissoon and his daughter, current Nease Navy JROTC Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class Paveena Ramkissoon
• Class of 1996 Cadet LTC Louis Cordero and Atlantic Graduate Melissa Campanile
• Class of 1996 Cadet COL PJ Dombrowski (AJAA 1st VP) 
• Class of 1996 Cadet 1st SGT JC Cajuste and his wife Tonya
• Class of 1998 Cadet MSG Joe Venegas and his wife Teresa 

While Louis and Paul have been attending regularly for the past few years, this was the first time PJ and JC attended since high school, and it turned out that it was the first time that Joe attended the Military Ball because he had never attended one while he was a cadet. It was exciting for everyone to not only see PJ but also congratulate her on her new bundle of joy. Reconnecting at the alumni table tends to stir up strong feelings of nostalgia. It was a truly unique opportunity to reconnect… and that's what it’s all about when it comes to the Atlantic JROTC Alumni Association (AJAA).

A Gateway for Achieving AJAA’s Mission 

AJAA’s mission is to come together again and network — alums supporting alums. We can share memories, have fun and support the unit we love. The alumni table at the Military Ball was a gateway for former cadets to step back in time and enjoy the familiarity of the ball while celebrating the growth that the journey of life offers.

Honoring Paul's Legacy and Spreading Louis's Vision

As the inaugural president, Paul’s leadership yielded the following outcomes:

• The AJAA was established as a non-profit with a pending 501c3 application.
• Establishing a tradition of an ongoing annual alumni presence at one of the most memorable things that occurs if you’re a JROTC cadet, which is the Military Ball. 
• Securing a long-term sponsorship for a table available to cadets in need. 
• Creating the website and alumni platform as well as engaging a 10-year marketing commitment to help the AJAA reach out to 4000+ graduates since inception in the mid-eighties.

The torch of leadership was passed down from Paul to Louis at the Military Ball. Louis shared his vision for the AJAA and disclosed the addition of another event to the AJAA calendar, an alumni picnic. With Paul's legacy in steering AJAA and his foundation as a guide for all future endeavors, Louis's enthusiasm to build on this foundation promises a future that echoes that same steadfast leadership of AJAA. Make sure to read our next article about Louis and his vision as AJAA’s incoming President.

The Alumni picnic will be held on Saturday, 5/18 and is open to families and friends, not just alums. Add this event to your calendar so you don’t miss this day of laughter, memories and community spirit.