A North Forsyth High School senior recently received a prestigious JROTC honor.

The Legion of Valor JROTC Medal was presented to Chris Grove for his outstanding school record, which includes a 4.2 grade-point average.

“The Legion of Valor is the highest individual award a JROTC cadet can receive. It is a nationally recognized, highly prestigious honor,” said Major Charles Kelly Jr., who heads the JROTC program at North.

“When I need something done, Chris is the one I turn to first to say, ‘What do you think?’ We typically put a lot of responsibility and give a lot of authority to our cadets and Chris is the one that makes things happen.”

Prior to his junior year, Grove was selected to attend a science and math seminar at the U.S. Naval Academy and an intensive four-week Russian language course at North Georgia College & State University.

He is also the JROTC cadet battalion commander and belongs to the National Honor, Math Honor and Technology Honor societies, according to Kelly.  

Grove is also a member of the school’s color guard, as well as the Raiders’ cross country, lacrosse and drill teams.

“From the first day I came into ROTC, and I knew it was possible to be the highest ranked and the best, so to speak, I knew that it was what I wanted to do,” Grove said.

“I’m a bit competitive, so it was just automatic. I worked hard and I let my actions speak for themselves.”

While he doesn’t come from a military background, Grove said he has become more interested in pursuing it as a career, particularly as a pilot, which his parents support. After that, he wants to retire and become a ROTC teacher.

Grove is one of just three cadets in Kelly’s 16 graduating classes at North who have received the award.

“Chris is joining a group that is very select,” he said. “He knows what it takes to get ahead.”