Battalion Commander

c/LTC Jeanelle Reyna

Hello! I’m Jeanelle, a Junior at Kearny BST. This is my third year of JROTC, but I also spend a lot of time outside of the program to enrich my experiences and skillsets. I am incredibly passionate about STEM and I hope to become a neurosurgeon in the future! I have a lot of hobbies that are centered around various media— video games, books, movies, TV shows, and music— but I especially love analyzing them and writing about it. I am a military brat who was born in El Paso, TX, though I’ve lived in Texas, Hawaii, Virginia, and now California. I have an older brother and 3 dogs! I love a good challenge and I love to take my time to appreciate the smaller things in life. I’m at my happiest when I’m surrounded by other driven personalities.

JROTC Career

I joined JROTC in my Freshman year of HS, where I immediately signed up to become Bravo Company’s Platoon Sergeant. The role was eventually dissolved and I became the first squad leader. I have 9 years of experience in robotics, so I was appointed the robotics team captain during my Freshman year as well. We finished the season by winning the JROTC National Sportsmanship Award! I participated in the academics team where we ended up making it to the Brigade competition final round. In the first semester of my Sophomore year, I became an S5 assistant. I joined the drones team and continued with robotics & academics. My second semester had me take over as S5, become appointed as the academic team first sergeant, and our robotics team was able to win the JROTC National Create Award! I stepped down back into S5 assistant in the first semester of my Junior year to focus on robotics. Thus far, we’ve won a local Design Award as well as the JROTC National Design Award. We will be competing at the State and World Championship too! I was also appointed the academics team captain and drones team first sergeant in this new year. I am looking at the future of our program so much excitement as I now step into the role of Battalion Commander.

Academics

I currently have a 4.54 GPA at BST. I have taken 5 UCSD Extended Studies Classes, AP Computer Science Principles, HNRS Principles of Biomedical Sciences, Honors Chemistry, HNRS Human Human Body Systems, HNRS Medical Interventions, and I am taking HNRS American Literature. At Mesa, I have taken History 110 and Psych 1000. I also completed the Child Development certificate program! I am currently enrolled in Business 100, but I hope to take math and philosophy classes throughout the summer to fill my time!

Goals

As the new BC, I want to help shape this program into a well rounded and supportive community where everyone feels comfortable to grow in. I’d like to make strong efforts to revitalize our teams and communication systems for a better time all around. This school year, I would like to win an award at the VEX Robotics California State Championship! I dream to win an award at the World Championship. I hope to catch up on some books and video games, where I’ll try to finish at least 3 of each before the end of summer break. I am preparing for the SAT and I aim to get above a score of 1450 before summer break is over. I would also like to get my drivers permit or license ASAP!

Awards and Decoration

Other Achivements

1 of 14 REC Foundation International Student Advisory Board Members (Out of 1,000,000+ Worldwide Students), VEX Robotics CA State Excellence Award (First California State Distinguished Private Team for Excellence Award), VEX Robotics CA State Design Award (First California State Distinguished Private Team for Design Award), 1 of 2 Student Keynote Speakers at the 2025 Robotics Education Competition Foundation ‘Educators Conference’ (Personally invited by company CEO Dan Mantz), Guest Speaker / Interviewee at VEX Robotics High School World Championship Finale, President of BST Ambassadors Club, Secretary of Key Club, BST School Site Council Member 9th/10th Grade, VEX Worlds Student Ambassador, VEX Robotics JROTC Nationals Design Award, California State Championship VEX Robotics Build Award, VEX Robotics World Championship Division Semi-Finalist, VEX Robotics World Championship Build Award (1 of 10 International Award Winners), VEX Robotics World Championship Innovate Award (1 of 10 International Award Winners), VEX Robotics World Championship Inspire Award (1 of 10 International Award Winners), VEX Robotics California State Tournament Finalists, JROTC VEX Robotics National Create Award, JROTC VEX Robotics National Sportsmanship Award, Local VEX Robotics Tournament Champion, Local VEX Robotics Excellence Award Winner x3, Local VEX Robotics Design Award Winner x6, Local VEX Robotics Innovate Award x3, Local VEX Robotics Judges Award x2, Kearny BST Honor Roll Recipient since 9th Grade - 11th Grade, Founder of neighborhood community STEM library!

Ribbons/Medals

Academic Achievement (N-1-3), Perfect Attendance (N-1-4), LET Service (N-1-6 + Silver Lantern), Leadership and Academic Bowl (N-1-7), Academics Team (N-1-8), Robotics Team (N-1-10 + Silver Lamp), Personal Appearance (N-3-2), Proficiency (N-3-3), Good Conduct (N-3-10), Recruiting (N-4-2), Formal Inspection (N-4-3), Service Learning (N-4-6), Excellent Staff Performance (N-4-7)
Academic Excellence Medal (?), Senior Army Instructor Leadership Award Medal

Cords/Arcs

CMD Staff Group Cord (Maroon & Silver), Robotics Team Cord (Red, White & Blue), Drones Team Cord (Teal), Academics Team Cord (Yellow)
Academics Team Arc, Drones Team Arc, JLAB Arc, Robotics Team Arc