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Echon awarded Legion of Valor Bronze Cross
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Posted on Nov 14 2006
Saipan Southern High School senior student Karen Echon did the islands proud yesterday after being awarded the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross, making her the first recipient of such an award in the Pacific.
Echon, a cadet lieutenant colonel in the school’s Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, was given the award for scholastic excellence in military and academic subjects.
In an awarding ceremony held yesterday mid-afternoon, Echon received the award from visiting 13th Brigade Commander Col. Stephen Smith, who said it was an honor for him to confer the prestigious award for the first time in the Pacific.
Echon said she only knew about the award last Thursday. The school initially wanted to surprise her with the ceremony but couldn’t since she was required to participate in the ceremony.
“I’m proud of myself and I worked hard to get this,” she said.
Echon acknowledged her parents, teachers and mentors for her current achievement.
Echon’s parents, Henelin and Godo Echon, were present during the presentation. Both said that they are very proud and happy for their daughter. “I am very proud of her, that for the first time, the CNMI has been recognized for this award and it happens to be my daughter,” Echon’s mother said.
Echon’s name will be added to the list of other awardees in the Library of Congress and in the U.S. General Orders.
Senior Army instructor Joaquin O. Kiyoshi said the entire SSHS JROTC is very proud of this achievement. Kiyoshi was also instrumental in Echon’s selection for the award.
