Left: JROTC Platoon Sgt. Killian Redman stands with Lt. Col. Michael Cassetori. Redman received the Rotary Club Student of Distinction Award yesterday. (Photo/Jeanette Lee)

A JROTC cadet from Oliver High School was honored by the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh for his willingness to help others, responsible and ethical conduct and active community participation.

Killian Redman, who will be graduating in the top 10 percent of the class of 2011, came before the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh at the Omni William Penn Hotel to accept the Student of Distinction Award and express his gratitude.

According to board member Ben Luffey, the monthly award is handled by a special committee within the Rotary, which chooses a recipient every month based on recommendations from teachers and guidance counselors.

“I have to admit, I was overwhelmed and honored to learn I was going to be the recipient because I suspect I am just one of many deserving Oliver students,” said Redman.

Redman is not only a Platoon Sergeant within the Junior ROTC Bear Battalion at Oliver, but also captain of the varsity wrestling team and an Oliver Student Ambassador. He is involved in several community service programs, including “Changes,” where he works with team of students to break down stereotypes between suburban and city youth.

Redman was introduced by Lt. Col. Michael Cassetori, a senior army instructor at Oliver High School, who described Redman as “quiet by nature” and “a role model.”

“Killian Redman [is] a superb example of someone that firmly believes in the care and welfare of others before oneself,” Cassetori said.

“I was so impressed by his willingness to lead by example and teach others that this year I opted to … make him a platoon sergeant, something quite unusual for a cadet in just their second year of Junior ROTC.”

Redman recently qualified for and enlisted in the Air Force, and will begin training to become a security specialist after graduating. His ultimate goal is to become an Air Force security officer, he said.

“Many times, we hear bad things about young people, but these are really great people,” said past Rotary Club president Richard Dixon.

Jeanette Lee is a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University studying Professional Writing and Investigative Journalism.