Derek Munoz, a senior at Denver’s South High School, is the brigade commander for Denver’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), which includes more than 1,700 students from 10 high schools. He was selected for this position by ROTC instructors.
Derek is a member of South High’s drill team, rifle team, National Honor Society and the track and field team. He is one of the top three runners on South High’s cross country team.
He has volunteered hundreds of hours over the past four years through JROTC, his church and on his own with the Hayman fire cleanup, at local retirement homes and the Race for the Cure.
Derek is ranked fifth in his class of 311 and has a 4.25 grade point average, all while taking the maximum advanced-placement and honors courses.
Derek plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, West Point or the Merchant Marine Academy to become a pilot.
Each week, The Denver Post honors an outstanding youth for his or her accomplishments. King Soopers presents each honoree with a packet including a gift certificate, a letter of commendation and an application for employment. To nominate a student, write to The Denver Post DTW, 1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202. Enclose information about the nominee, a photograph and the name and phone number of someone we can contact for more information. Please write “Top Kid” on the envelope.
