The Triangle Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) held its 2024 Awards Dinner on Tuesday May 14, 2024, at the NC State University Club.

On a rainy evening, Chapter President Colonel Herb Segal kicked off the event using General George Patton's prayer for good weather during a snowstorm, prior to the Battle of the Bulge. Col Segal went on to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Colonel Bob Penny was called up by Col Segal in recognition of, and thanks for, the extensive work does in assembling our submission for the MOAA Levels of Excellence (LOE) Award. Col Penny's documentation of chapter accomplishments resulted in another LOE Award for the chapter for 2023.

We had three impressive awardees this year. The winners are Anusha Gupta from Enloe High School's Army JROTC program, and Joanna Reyna and Elias Robinson, both from Cary High School's Navy JROTC program. See the "Awards" section of this webpage to learn more about these impressive individuals.

Per the Wake County Public Schools website, Dr Clint Robinson, Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning, is a veteran of the United State Air Force. Robinson began his career in education as a mathematician for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools, teaching children of military and non-military families in Okinawa, Japan and Kaiserslautern, Germany. In addition, Robinson served as an assistant principal and an accomplished turnaround principal in Cumberland County Schools. Robinson joined the Wake County Public Schools System as the principal of Wake Forest-Rolesville High Schools and served as the Southwestern Area Superintendent and Southern Area Superintendent. Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Delaware State University; a Master of Curriculum, Instruction, and Supervision from the University of Oklahoma; and a Doctorate in Education from Fayetteville State University.

The Triangle Chapter of MOAA gathered on October 17th, 2023, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Triangle Chapter. The celebration, featuring Col Rojan J. Robotham, USAF, as guest speaker, kicked-off with an invocation by Colonel Herb Segal, followed by presentation of the Colors by Cadets of the Cary High School NJROTC Color Guard.

A delicious dinner, prepared and served by the wonderful staff of the NC Strate University Club, followed the opening remarks.

Colonel Rojan J. Robotham, USAF, was our guest speaker.

The observance took place in the University Room of the NC State University Club, 4200 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606.

Colonel Herb Segal kicked off our Observance in a manner similar to when US Congressman Patrick McHenry recently called the House of Representatives to Order while serving as Speaker, by quoting General George Washington's invocation of June 8, 1783.

Colonel Bob Penny introduced the Cary High School NJROTC Color Guard and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Colonel Segal recognized guests attending from the North Carolina Council of Chapters and from other NC Chapters.

Click on the link below to watch the video.

Col Herb Segal called upon Col Jeri Graham to introduce Col Robotham, since both Col Graham and Col Robotham had served together on the MOAA Board of Directors.

Col Robotham, our guest speaker, gave her remarks. She spoke of challenges of a woman in the military, serving her country in a leadership role, balancing her duty, her family and her volunteer work. Her remarks also touched upon how MOAA can help active duty service members, enlisted, officer, as well as retired.

Click on the link below to view the video.

The following are the three recipients of our 2024 Colonel William Frank Rawley Triangle Chapter MOAA JROTC scholarships. The Scholarship checks (for $1000) and certificates were presented by our Chapter President, Colonel Herb Segal, and Chief of Staff and Strategic Planning for Wake County Public Schools -- Dr. Clint Robinson.

Cadet Joanna Reyna, Cary High School NJROTC

Cadet Anusha Gupta, Enloe High School JROTC

Cadet Elias Robinson, Cary High School NJROTC

The Triangle Chapter of MOAA is charged with the coverage of 17 counties in the North-East section of North Carolina. In those counties, we support 31 high school JROTC programs. We offer our scholarships each year to all senior cadets from these programs who plan to continue their education.

Elias Robinson is a member of the Cary HS Navy JROTC program. He has served as the unit’s Logistics Officer, Drone Team Commander, and Cyber Patriot Team Captain. He is on the Corps’ Drill Team and Academic Team. Elias is a member of the Civil Air Patrol -- Apex Cadet Squadron and served as its Deputy Commander, Aerospace Officer, Flight Commander, and First Sergeant. He has been accepted at Virginia Tech, Embry-Riddle Univ., The Citadel, and Hampden-Sydney College. Elias will be attending Hampden-Sydney College where he will pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering or Computer Science.

Anusha Gupta is a member of the Enloe HS Army JROTC program. She served as the leader on the unit’s Academic Bowl Team which qualified to compete at the National competition in Washington, DC. Anusha is a tutor with Mathnasium (a tutoring company), where she tutors all math courses up to Calculus 1. She is a member of the Medical Bio-Science Academy, Health Occupations Students of America, Junior Academic Leadership Bowl, Student Ambassadors, Wearable Device Challenge, Varsity Swim Team, Dance Pe Chance, and the National Honor Society. She is currently enrolled at Wake Tech Community College and will receive an Associates in Arts degree this July. Anusha will attend Emory University in Atlanta majoring in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology on a Pre-Med Track. She has been awarded an Army ROTC Scholarship worth over $200,000 and will be a cadet in the cross-town ARMY ROTC program at Georgia Tech.

Cadet Gupta was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to a scheduling conflict with her Wake Tech studies.

Joanna Reyna is a member of the Cary HS Navy JROTC program. She served as the Command Master Chief in Cary’s program, is on the JROTC competitive military drill team and Color Guard, is the Alto Saxophone section leader in Cary’s marching Band, served as a Student Council Representative, was on the Cary High School Girls’ Soccer Team, is a member of the Interact Club and Key Club and is a member of the National Honor Society. Joanna has been accepted to Fordham Univ., Campbell Univ., East Carolina Univ., William Peace Univ., Catawba College, and Meredith College. She will attend Fordham University in New York and will pursue a degree in Political Science. Joanna has accepted a Navy Prep Scholarship valued at over $300,000 for five years.