Cadet/Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Barenblat, from the  Lee High School JROTC Volunteer Battalion, was named the 2009 North East ISD JROTC Cadet of the Year. Barenblat was selected as Cadet of the Year by a five-member panel of administrators and military personnel from a field of seven JROTC student/cadets. Doctor Richard Middleton, Superintendent of Schools, presented Barenblat with a trophy and saber for his selection at the JROTC Awards Ceremony and Review held at Comalander Stadium on Saturday, May 16.

Barenblat has been a student at the International School of Americas, co-located on the Lee campus, and a member of the JROTC Battalion for four years. He participated on the Orienteering and Armed Drill teams for two years and has served in all of the Battalions Command and Staff positions in the four years, which has given him a broad experience. 

For this school year, Barenblat was selected as the Battalion Commander where he helped reduce the number of deficiencies found during the Annual Inspection by one half and increase the number of competitive events the Drill Teams, Air Rifle Marksmanship team and community service events the Volunteer Battalion was participating in over previous years. 

Outside interests include being a student of classical piano as well as a student of military strategy.

Barenblat will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Mass. in the fall. Barenblat is a National Merit Scholar Finalist and has received scholarships and financial aid from MIT, the AT&T Foundation and the  San Antonio Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.