TOWAMENCIN – If you were to spot North Penn AFJROTC cadets Alex Arnold, Mahadi Haque, or Michael Gain out in public, you might not think anything remarkable about them — just that they are normal high school age students. However, yesterday’s presentation in the North Penn High School audion for the Silver Valor Award offered these young heroes a moment of recognition for their quick thinking and moral ethics out in the community.

The Silver Valor Award serves as a testament to each cadet’s selflessness; it’s defined as an award commemorating “voluntary acts of valor by a cadet requiring strength of mind or spirit to react promptly and correctly in a critical situation”. It’s the second highest honor an Air Force JROTC cadet can receive, so prestigious that only an average of six students a year nationally are chosen to be recipients — which is what makes the ceremony so special.

“It was just a really awesome achievement, being the 2nd highest award you can have in the program.” Cadet Major Alex Arnold said. “I was proud of myself to use the leadership skills I’ve learned in the program to be able to react in a situation.”

Cadet Arnold’s quick thinking saved the life of a young child caught in an inflatable obstacle course as it became untethered and barreling towards the side of a steep rocky cliff. While trying to escape, the child was caught around the waist by one of the tethers that had come loose, and the funhouse almost dragged the child over the cliff with it. Cadet Arnold swooped in and freed the child, threatening her own safety in order to save the young girl’s life.

“I definitely was able to react better by being in JROTC, and I was proud to do my part to help that young girl.” Cadet Arnold said.

A modest response to a monumental deed, this theme seemed to be present among the recipients.

“Honestly, I’m not one that likes a lot of pizazz for winning an award. If I see the opportunity to help someone, that’s what I do because everyone should help each other,” said Cadet Captain Mahadi Haque. And yet, the praise is well deserved.

As a passerby last May, Cadet Haque treated a victim of a car crash who suffered a head and spinal injury.  The young man involved in the crash undoubtedly owes his life to Cadet Haque, for if it was not for his heroism he could be paralyzed — or worse. Haque’s skills as a JROTC member and a volunteer firefighter paid great dividends on that day.

“I don’t expect go get a lot of praise about it, it happened last May.” Cadet Haque says with a modest shrug and a smile. “It’s what I should have done, and I’d do it again.”

However, the brevity with which the cadets had to react to each of their situations deserves the very praise they are so reluctant to accept; they claim it all comes with the training.

“I feel that JROTC has given me a lot of the skills I need to handle disaster situations. I joined the JROTC program because I knew it would give me the skills needed to serve in the military,” said Cadet Captain Michael Gain.

In October, Cadet Gain was asked to monitor an inflatable slide during the Warrington Day fair. When hurricane force winds begin to take the slide loose of its tethers, Cadet Gain sprang into action, holding down one end of the slide while calling for help from the others present at the fair. However, another accident was taking away all the attention, and Cadet Gain was forced to hold down the slide singlehandedly. His actions spared the ten kids on the inside of the slide from what could have been very serious injuries.

“This award means a lot to me personally, it took over a year and a half to get qualified for it. Not only did we get the chance to help people, but we are getting recognized for it and that’s awesome,” said Cadet Gain.

For these young heroes, no amount of praise can suffice the brave acts they committed. It is amongst these student leaders that the community is most proud of.