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U.S. Army Capt. Justin Todd Michel, a West Point native, will speak Friday at the 27th annual academic achievement banquet at West Point High School.

By Jennifer Gentile
Daily Times Leader
A West Point native turned U.S. Army captain will deliver the keynote address Friday during West Point High School's academic achievement banquet.
Capt. Justin “Todd” Michel will be part of the 27th annual event, which recognizes students in grades 9 through 12 who have maintained an average of 90 or above in their major academic subjects during the 2008 fall and spring semesters.
The banquet will honor 114 students who have met these criteria, as well as 13 “consecutive” achievers — seniors who have held a 90-or-above average for four consecutive years. These students will receive a plaque and a monogrammed book bag.
Michel, 43, the special guest, is commander of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. He is leader within the “Old Guard” — a prestigious Army unit responsible for ceremonial functions such escorting top officials, standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and performing funerals in Arlington National Cemetery.
As a first lieutenant, Michel served as the executive officer for Alpha Company, 1-508th Battalion “Red Devils,” 173rd Brigade Combat Team “Sky Soldiers.” He deployed with his unit to Germany, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Hungary and Turkey. When he was promoted to captain in 2003, he was deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq.
After graduation from the Infantry Captain's Career Course, Michel was assigned to the 1-506th Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. During a deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, from November 2005 to 2006, he acted as Able Company commander.
According to a statement from the Army, Michel, “led his men during 10 months of intense combat operations in arguably the most dangerous place in Iraq, where American soldiers were deployed in the global war on terror.”
He was then reassigned in June 2007 to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as “The Old Guard.” His duties and responsibilities included training a 200-soldier company with two specialty platoons — the U.S. Army Drill Team and a military working dog detachment.
A year later, he was hand chosen to lead Delta Company 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry.
According to the Army statement, “Delta Company's primary mission is to render full honors with dignity and respect to our servicemen and women being carried to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.”
Michel's decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal,  the Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Wings. 
“I have not told him a topic (for his presentation),” said Lewise Jackson, a mentoring and Bright Horizons coordinator with the school district. “He's just going to give a motivational speech.” 
The reason he was chosen, she added, “is because he's a grad of West Point High School and because of his successful career.”
His mother, Faye Michel, said if he is permitted to pick a topic, he is likely to speak about leadership. Jackson said that in the past, banquet speakers have touched on subjects like setting high goals, planning for future success and community involvement. 
Walter Newell, a former coach and assistant principal at the high school, recalled that Michel had played football when he was a student in West Point. Michael was a member of the school's state football championship team and went on to graduate from Mississippi State University. 
“Todd was a fine young man,” Newell said.
All of the honorees at the banquet will receive t-shirts, certificates and academic ribbons. The student from each grade with the highest academic average will be recognized and presented with a plaque.
Jackson said the Jane Merchant scholarship, named in honor of a retired teacher, will be presented during the event. She added that the scholarship is worth about $150. 
The banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic.
Fifth Street Junior High students will be honored starting at 12:30 p.m. Friday during a “Smarty Party.” Seventh and eighth grade students from the school who have earned an average of 90 or above in academic subjects from January through December of 2008 are invited.
The theme of the 22nd annual event is “Aloha! Treasures of Tomorrow,” and 46 students will be honored. Students will be treated to pizza, and entertainment will be provided by the West Point High School Women's Show Choir. 
Honorees will also receive awards, ribbons and gifts. 
The “consecutive achievers” from West Point High School will speak to the students about topics such as handling peer pressure, overcoming obstacles and things to look forward to in high school.
The student with the highest average from each grade will be recognized and presented with a plaque.