Paul Trippy, right, won the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross of Achievement. At left is his commander in the Dunkirk Junior ROTC, Sgt. Maj. Michael Schneider.

Dunkirk High School’s Paul Trippy is one of only a few dozen students across the country to receive a Legion of Valor Bronze Cross of Achievement for his Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps service.

The Dunkirk school district announced the 12th-grader’s award last week at a Board of Education meeting.

According to a social media post from the school district, “The Legion of Valor award is a nationally recognized accolade, presented to less than 1% of eligible JROTC cadets across the country each year. Paul’s dedication, hard work, and outstanding leadership qualities have truly set him apart. We are so proud to have him represent our school and community with such honor.”

The Dunkirk Junior ROTC commander, Sgt. Maj. Michael Schneider, said at the board meeting that just seven students in the unit’s brigade received the award this year. The brigade covers New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and all of the New England states.

“This award is given out to very few people,” Schneider said. Trippy “was selected for this based on evaluation of his academic performance, his athletic performances, his giving back to the community, and his leadership in the community, within the Junior ROTC program, and within the school.”