Brigade Commander
c/CAPT Silas Hollandsworth
Canyon Hills High School

As the Brigade Commanding Officer, c/CAPT Silas Hollandsworth supports and leads his staff of 11 in planning and organizing district-wide JROTC events. These include academic league, multi-stage drill competitions, archery league, leadership training, formal events, and volunteer-led events. He oversees the operations of 14 different SDUSD schools, accounting for over 2200+ cadets. Alongside his Brigade involvement, Hollandsworth holds the position of platoon commander in his NJROTC unit at Canyon Hills High School. In past years, he has been the Commanding Officer, Athletic Team Commander, and a drill Commander. His hopes for Brigade this year are to maintain the approachability of staff members and improve general communication across school units in the district. Outside of JROTC, Hollandsworth volunteers with youth to help them develop leadership and communication skills. He is involved in his school’s Key Club, Debate Team, and Link Crew, and he is also the president and founder of the Canyon Hills High School chapter of the Travis Manion Foundation Youth Club.

After high school, Hollandsworth plans to attend the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and follow the NSW pipeline through BUDS.

Senior Enlisted Advisor
c/SgtMaj. Aaron Puthuvalil
University City High School

As the Brigade Senior Enlisted Advisor, c/SgtMaj Aaron Puthuvalil serves as the Brigade Commander’s trusted “right hand,” helping drive and uphold the Commander’s vision for the Brigade. He is responsible for sustaining staff morale, strengthening communication across Brigade Staff, and fostering unity among all SDUSD units. Since the end of his freshman year, he has led University City MCJROTC’s Armed Regulation Drill Team as Commander and has previously served as Battalion Color Sergeant and Color Guard Commander. Beyond his extensive drill experience, he has been a long‑standing member of the Academic League and JLAB teams as well as the Raiders team. His leadership, academic excellence, and community involvement have earned him numerous distinctions both within and outside of JROTC. Outside the program, Puthuvalil is active in MINIM and Notes for Neighbors, two San Diego-based nonprofit music‑focused organizations. Through these groups, he teaches music to underserved youth and performs for VA patients, senior home residents, and community fundraisers. He has played in multiple scholastic and extracurricular orchestras and groups, notably the SDUSD District Honors Orchestras and the SDYS. He is also deeply involved in his church community, where he volunteers much of his weekend. His primary goals as Brigade Senior Enlisted Advisor are to strengthen camaraderie and pride across all SDUSD JROTC units and to build a unified sense of honor under one Brigade.

After graduating from high school, Puthuvalil plans to attend and graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy or pursue an NROTC scholarship at a California university. His long‑term goal is to commission as an officer in the Marine Corps or the Navy while studying Aerospace Engineering.

Executive Officer
c/Lt Col Saanvi Kowda
Scripps Ranch High School

As the Brigade Executive Officer, c/Lt Col Saanvi Kowda facilitates Brigade Staff tasks, projects, and coordination of activities. She manages deadlines, correspondence with the rest of the Command Team, and ensures everything is completed to the best of the Staff’s abilities. Alongside her Brigade involvement, she is the Logistics Commander for her school’s AFJROTC program, where she manages over $100,000 in uniforms, awards, and additional items. In past years, she has been the Logistics AOIC, Logistics NCO, and a Flight Sergeant. During her first year in AFJROTC, she won the prestigious Best-Drilled Individual of the Year (BDIY) title through a rigorous military inspection and drill competition. She participates in many of her unit’s teams, ranging from the Sabre Fancy Drill Team, which placed 1st in Sabre Sweepstakes at Golden Bear West Coast Nationals multiple times, to the Kitty Hawk Air Society, JLAB team, and Public Affairs. Outside of JROTC, Saanvi is actively involved in biomedical and biochemical research. She has interned at UCSD, presenting a poster on the neurotoxicity of forever chemicals post-TBI at BMES; participates in the Genes in Diseases and Symptoms (GIDAS) Club, studying the role of the OAS gene family in initiating anti-viral response to Influenza A; and interns at a UCSD computational chemistry lab to study fluorescence in synthetic biomolecules. She is the Co-President of her school’s USA Biology Olympiad Club, where she received Honorable Mention for the 2026 Exam; the Falcon Peer Mentoring Program Manager, where she oversees the mentoring of 50+ underclassmen; and a dedicated Science Olympiad competitor. Aside from academics, she enjoys dancing Bharatanatyam, reading historical fiction novels, and watching K-dramas.

After high school, she plans to attend a four-year university, majoring in Mathematics/Applied Biochemistry or Biochemistry, and pursue a career centered in research or medicine.

J1: Personnel Officer
c/LTC Angel Castillo
Morse High School

As the Brigade Personnel Officer, c/LTC Angel Castillo is primarily in charge of facilitating the Academic League competitions by writing the question set for each round while ensuring that procedures and rules are followed. She is also the main speaker at many Brigade events, such as the Cadet Picnic and the Cadet Ball. At her unit, she is the ‘26-’27 Battalion Commander, where she commands and oversees her unit’s daily operations, training, and events while also setting the unit’s vision and mission statements. At the beginning of her JROTC career, she competed and won both Cadet of the Month (COTM) and Cadet of the Year (COTY), where multiple first-year cadets go through an interview process to determine the COTM and culminate in the COTY. She was previously her unit’s JLAB commander and the Academic League Executive Officer, making her experienced with the procedures of academic teams. During the ’25-’26 school year, she was promoted as the unit’s Operations Officer Assistant (S3 NCOIC), where she assisted her primary with managing the battalion’s event operations. In her junior year, she was also appointed as the Army Brigade JROTC Cadet standout (August 2025). Now, she is the Drones Commander and a member of her unit’s VEX Robotics team. Outside of JROTC, she has been actively involved in several clubs, such as MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement), where she is the Co-President of the club, and First Generation Scholars, where she was previously the secretary. This year, as part of the Brigade staff, she hopes to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders to become future role models while ensuring that everyone can blossom into their full potential.

After high school, c/LTC Castillo aspires to attend a 4-year university to pursue a major in Aerospace Engineering.

J2: Intelligence Officer
c/LTC Jshaun Trent
Hoover High School

As the J-2 Intelligence Officer, c/LTC J’shaun Trent works to ensure the safety, fidelity, and well-being of all cadets. He is responsible for managing risk assessments for all brigade events, which are distributed to all units to provide countermeasures for any potential safety concerns. Additionally, he provides cadets with valuable information through the Cadet Compass platform on a variety of topics, including scholarships, job opportunities, internships, volunteer work, vocational trades, and colleges to assist them in planning for their futures. Within JROTC, he is involved in numerous teams and holds several leadership positions. He serves as the Iron Cardinals Raider team commander, competing in multiple competitions at Rialto, Santiago, and Madison, where he got 3rd place at both Rialto and Santiago, and 2nd at Madison. He is also the YPF boys team captain, where he placed 1st. He has also joined other teams, including ADT and Color Guard. As the Deputy Commanding Officer, he supports the Battalion Commander in leading the battalion and executing their shared vision. He also ensures that the Executive Officer, Headquarters Commandant, and Operations Officer remain on track with their responsibilities. Outside of JROTC, He has been actively involved in various clubs and programs, including the Varsity football team and athletes academy. His goals for the upcoming school year are to be a source of advice, guidance, and encouragement for fellow cadets, to help lead Hoover’s football team to a CIF win, to place top 10 at Raiders National Competition in Kentucky, and to continue making a positive impact on others.

After high school, he intends to become a commissioned officer through attending SDSU’s Air Force ROTC, and pursue a degree in engineering.

J3: Operations Officer
c/CDR Phoenix DiProfio
Mission Bay High School

As the Brigade Operations Officer, c/CDR Phoenix DiProfio is in charge of creating the Operation Orders for JROTC Brigade events and competitions, ensuring that there is a set schedule and organization. They also review After Action Reports after events from each JROTC unit to summarize cadet feedback and make improvements for future events. They are a plank owner for their school’s Coast Guard JROTC, having been a part of the JROTC during its very first year in existence. Since then, they have acted as their school’s Executive Commander their sophomore year and Commanding Officer their junior year. They are one of the core members of their unit’s Color Guard, and now sing the National Anthem for professional sports teams, district events, and military ceremonies alongside the Color Guard. They have planned and hosted parties, fundraisers, and activities for their cadets. Outside of JROTC, they are an International Baccalaureate candidate. They are also a Child Mind Institute Youth Mental Health Academy intern, Princess Project ambassador, Girl Scout, and Girl’s State Auxiliary delegate. They have won the IB JROTC award for their school three years in a row, along with the Top English Student Award and Rotary Camp Enterprise Award. They were also their school’s 2025-26 Top Cadet. They founded and direct the Calm Space Memorial Garden at their school and are a part of their school’s Swing Choir and Mediums of Mental Health Club.

After high school, c/CDR Phoenix DiProfio intends to attend college in Canada, getting their PhD in psychology and a minor in business. They hope to eventually start their own private therapy practice or crisis center to help youth and young adults.

J4: Supply Officer
c/LTC Ava Donnell
Mira Mesa High School

As the Brigade Logistics Officer, c/LTC Ava Donnell is responsible for the management and handling of all Brigade-Assigned items such as uniforms, medals, and ribbons. In addition to that, she is responsible for setting up indicators such as drill pads, cones, and signs during competitions and events. Ava is very active within her battalion by participating in many teams such as her battalion’s raiders, robotics, JLAB Leadership, drones team, PAO, and S7 department. She was previously her unit’s Unarmed Fancy Drill Team Executive Officer, JLAB Leadership Captain, and company Executive Officer. Some of the things Ava has accomplished in JROTC include placing first in her individual, dual, and four-man performance in the West Coast National Golden Bear Competition of 2026. She was also given the award of “Outstanding Cadet” for the 2025-2026 school year by her unit, along with being awarded LET 3/4 of the month during the month of October. Outside of JROTC, Ava loves to spend time with her family and friends. She also enjoys volunteering to help her school and community. She hopes for the upcoming school year to be filled with many fun and amazing memories while helping lead cadets to success and achievement along the way.

After graduating from high school Ava plans to Join the Army Reserves as a paralegal specialist while attending a 4 year college to pursue a degree in law, eventually fully commissioning into the Army as an officer.

J5: Public Affairs Officer
c/LTC Jocelyn Duran
San Diego High School

As the J-5 Public Affairs Officer, c/LTC Jocelyn Duran’s responsibility is to maintain the online presence of the SDUSD Brigade and oversee all MWR, such as publishing the Cadet Chronicles and managing the Instagram account. In her unit, she is the Executive Officer for the 26-27 school year. She is in charge of her battalion staff and ensuring they stay on task while working alongside her Commanding Officer and Commanding Senior NCO. As a first-year cadet, she constantly volunteered to help with supply. As a second-year cadet, she was the Sergeant for her battalion’s adjutant. As a third-year cadet, she became the adjutant, responsible for cadet personal information paperwork, maintaining records, and providing weekly announcements for each class/platoon. Some of her awards include the AMVETS medal, recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and a strong commitment to serving school, community, and nation. The Superior Cadet and LET of the year awards reward her demonstration of the highest qualities of leadership, scholastic excellence, discipline, courtesy, and character. While in JROTC, she has been in various teams such as Color Guard, Honor Guard, YPF, JLAB, and Academic League. Outside of the program, she is a part of Upward Bound, a college readiness program that offers support for students’ futures and often helps out in different communities. She is an editor for her school’s yearbook, vice president of the Formula 1 Engineering club, and a varsity athlete in both lacrosse and wrestling. On her own time, she enjoys reading, painting, spending time with animals, listening to music, and watching movies. Her goals for this year include keeping communication of the mission of JROTC to cadets, encouraging and strengthening bonds between brigade staff and units, and overall making new friendships while having fun and making memories.

After high school, Duran plans to attend university and obtain a bachelor’s degree in either Anthropology or Forensic Science along with a minor in Photography.

J6: Cyber Communications Officer
c/Lt Col David Nasi
Scripps Ranch High School

As the J-6, c/Lt Col David Nasi is responsible for maintaining the Joint Brigade’s technical platforms, data, and documents, helping the Brigade run smoothly. Beyond that role, he has shown consistent leadership through years of service in Color Guard, serving as Color Guard NCO from 2023–2024 and Color Guard Commander from 2025–2026. During his time on Color Guard staff, he coordinated countless honor guard and color presentations, including an Active-Duty Air Force Colonel’s promotion to O-6 and a retirement ceremony for now SRHS’s current ASI. He also helped lead the team to some of its proudest achievements, including reigning champion of Brigade JV Color Guard and 1st place at JV West Coast. In addition to his JROTC service, he serves as the President for the Core Team of Good Shepherd Youth Ministry, managing over 200 candidates seeking to grow in the Catholic faith. The majority of his time is taken up by youth nights, retreats, and service projects. David is also a part of his school news channel, The Falcon 5, and the district’s only student-led Production Crew. Many events such as graduation, sports games, dances, concerts, and other community events are all managed by his team, working as audio technicians. Episodes are aired weekly, where he works on and behind the scenes, editing and producing segments, and anchoring. Along with these extracurriculars, his accomplishments also include receiving two national awards, the Celebrate Freedom Foundation award and the Air and Space Forces Association award, as well as winning Best Drilled Individual of the Month during his freshman year, and his unit’s Top Performer award his sophomore year. David’s goal for brigade is to create an environment in which all cadets feel supported by having streamlined communications. He currently serves as a flight commander for the 2026–2027 school year. Outside of leadership, he enjoys playing video games, making music, and going fishing.

After high school, he plans to attend a four-year college, majoring in nursing, and participating in either the Army or Air Force ROTC. He wants to commission into the U.S Army or Air Force as an officer in nursing

J8: Fundraising Officer
c/CDR Brunella Lopez Cardenas
Canyon Hills High School

As the Brigade J-8 Finance Officer, c/CDR Brunella Lopez Cardenas is in charge of creating fundraisers along with managing this school year’s budget and assisting in various other ways to ensure events run smoothly. In her unit, she holds the positions of Platoon Commander and CyberPatriots co-commander, where she collaborates with other staff members in order to make practice tests for her class and trains her team for competitions. Additionally, she participates in many teams such as Honor Guard, Athletics, and Academics, which have allowed her to compete in events such as the Brain Brawl and JLAB. Outside of JROTC, Brunella is very involved in her community, serving as the President for the House of Pacific Relations nonprofit in Balboa Park, as well as for the House of Peru Youth Program, which allows her to express her passion for her culture through dance and community service year-round. Additionally, Brunella is also involved in sports, where she plays for her school’s varsity field hockey team, which recently won runner-up for CIF; she also participates in her track team for pole vault. This summer, she will be attending an in-person internship at a lab focusing on improving cancer treatments. Brunella’s goal for the upcoming year within Brigade is to continue the legacy of past members by continuing to improve the connection between units and Brigade staff, which includes increasing the amount of engagement at events as well as working hard to increase funding for our program.

After graduating high school, she plans to attend a 4-year university and major in Public Health either here in the U.S or in Peru!

LNO: Liaison Officer
c/LTC Edleen Fernandez
Kearney High School

As the Brigade Liaison Officer, c/LTC Edleen Fernandez plays a vital role in event planning, which includes securing judges for competitions, coordinating with unit commanders and cadre, and delivering presentations. Within her unit, she has previously held the positions of S3: Operations Officer, S1: Personnel Officer, Platoon Leader, and she was also the former Deputy Commanding Officer, where she was responsible for assisting in the oversight of battalion operations and ensuring effective communication within staff and the command group. Besides her involvement in their battalion staff, Edleen also actively participates in various teams. One of her most prominent commitments is the Robotics Team, where she is one of their core members and serves as their project manager. Other than Robotics, she just recently joined the Archery Team and is also an active member of the Drones Team, where Edleen takes on the role of their current Team Commander for the second time. During her first year as the commander of Drones, she was able to bring home their very first award, which is the Judges Award. For this school year, she will be taking on the role as a Cadet Advisor for their battalion’s command group and cadets. Outside of JROTC, Edleen will be entering her fourth year as an ambassador for Kearny’s School of Biomedical Science and Technology, in which she leads and represents her small school during campus tours and also helps organize school events. Academically, Edleen has always been a part of the Principal’s Honor Roll for maintaining an exceptional GPA of 3.5 or above. As she steps into her role as the Brigade LNO, she aims to leave a positive impact on the Brigade and to continue the legacy that her predecessor has left.

After high school, she plans to attend a four-year university and major in a STEM-related field.