Butler High School senior JROTC Cadet Jacob Palmer receives his $5,000 scholarship award from the Lyndora post of the American Legion, presented by post commander William McNutt, Thursday.

BUTLER TWP — While seniors' swords and scholarships are normally presented to Butler High School's JROTC seniors at their annual ball, a more informal ceremony to honor the students was necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Lt. Col. Mark Pappal, Butler JROTC senior Army instructor, said the JROTC Ball typically draws about 200 JROTC students and their guests at the end of each school year.

When it was canceled due to the pandemic, Pappal decided that seniors — particularly two receiving scholarships — should still be honored for their achievement in completing the JROTC program.

So, Thursday morning, the sabers bestowed on JROTC graduates and two $5,000 scholarships were presented to the students after they turned in their uniforms in front of the intermediate high school.

Seniors Jacob Palmer and Caravel Losch each received scholarships from American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora.

The Lyndora Legion has presented two scholarships to Butler JROTC seniors each for six years, said William McNutt, Post 778 commander.

“I feel honored, like my hard work paid off,” said Jacob, who is the son of Jay and Kim Palmer of Connoquenessing Township. “(JROTC) taught me to own up to my mistakes, be a better leader and a better person overall.”

Jacob will attend Point Park University in the fall to study sports management.

Caravel, the daughter of Mary Jo Mustello Losch of Butler and the late Ralph Losch, joined JROTC in ninth grade after hearing her two older sisters, who also graduated from JROTC, talk about the program.

“I'm very honored,” Caravel said. “All that ROTC has done for me and my family is incredible.”

Caravel will enroll at the University of New York's Maritime College in the fall with the hope of being commissioned into the Navy upon graduation.

Pappal said 16 seniors graduated from JROTC this year and received their sabers.

“For some of them, they really look forward to it at the end of the year,” he said. “It means they've made it.”

McNutt said the Lyndora Legion is pleased to present the scholarships, which he said are paid through strip ticket sales at the post.

“I drive a school bus, and I see these kids when they're younger,” said McNutt. “Once they get in this program, it turns them into young men and young women.”