To the editor:

Please take a look at the Ida S. Baker High School and their JROTC program.

Their program, under the leadership of LTC David Palmer, Senior Army Instructor and SFC John Hyler, Army instructor, has something that every high school should be very proud of; and it is here in our neighborhood of Cape Coral.

As the 2007-2008 school year comes to a close, IBHS has shined above all of the other Lee County high school JROTC programs.

As you can see in the list below, the JROTC program has helped these young men and women to pursue their dreams of a college education and $2.8 million dollars worth of scholarships is certainly something that should be applauded to each and every one of these students.

The students going to the Florida Institute of Technology are the largest contingent to ever be awarded to Florida Institute of Technology from all high schools across the United States. Major Aubin Jack of FIT was at the senior awards at IBHS on May 12 to award the scholarships to the students.

* Cadet/LTC John Vetter, Florida Institute of Technology – $168,328; John Vetter, University of South Florida – $69,160

* Cadet/LTC Angelica Cardona, Massachusetts Institute of Technology – $199,668

* Cadet/CPT Brittany Gray, Rhodes College – $182,792; Brittany Gray, Providence College – $174,020; Brittany Gray, Loyola (Chicago) – $167,520; Brittany Gray, University of Tampa – $168,490; Brittany Gray, Florida State – $72,024; Brittany Gray, Stetson – $56,000; Brittany Gray, University of Tampa – $168,490

* Cadet/CPT Armand Kalugdan, University of South Florida – $69,160; Armand Kalugdan, Florida State – $72,024

* Cadet/CPT Amy Sullivan, Florida Institute of Technology – $168,328; Amy Sullivan, University of Tampa – $168,490

* Cadet/CPT Mike Gibson, Florida Institute of Technology – $168,328; Mike Gibson, University of Memphis – $65,484

* Leslie Zuniga, University of Tampa – $20,000

* Cadet/CPT Ryan Maldonado, Florida Institute of Technology -$168,328, Ryan Maldonado, University of South Florida – $69,160; Ryan Maldonado, Florida Southern College – $69,160

* Cadet/1LT Taylor Hahn, Florida Institute of Technology – $168,328

* Cadet/LTC Joshua Lantrip, Florida Institute of Technology – $168,328

*School chose to attend.

Are we proud parents? You bet we are.

Thank you for your consideration of doing a story on these future leaders of our great country.

J.A. “Tony” and Kathleen Vetter

Cape Coral