Over 500 hours of community service doesn’t seem achievable, but junior Jerome Mwarema makes it look as easy as breathing.

“He’s my little brother, and I’m so proud of him,” said junior Joyce Mwarema, his sister.

Mwarema jumps at every opportunity to get involved in community service with AFJROTC.

“He does a lot. He’s on the sabre team; he’s the commander,” Col. Michael Dillard said. “He’s second in charge. He’s a deputy lead commander.

“He’s second in charge of all the cadets. He’s on the drill team, the arm drill team, he’s on the color guard team. He’s on the cyber-patriot team.”

Though it’s already a large feat, 500 hours isn’t enough for Mwarema.

Need help? Jerome’s there.

His goal is to beat the record for the most community service hours in AFJROTC.

The record was set by Katelyn Chhim, a 2024 graduate, who had over 800 hours.

“It’s just something I like doing,” Mwarema said.

“It’s been a good use of my time. Helping the community is something I enjoy doing.”

Joyce Mwarema, who is also in AFJROTC, continues to be inspired by him.

“He’s a person who sees an opportunity and takes it as far as it can go,” she said.

“He will take something little and turn it into one big amazing thing.”

The siblings are both ranked as Cadet Lt. Col.

“We were raised by people who did so much for the community even though we didn’t have much,” Joyce Mwarema said. “That is how we were raised by our parents. Do what you can do and leave the rest to the rest.”

Their mom is, in Jerome Mwarema’s own words, his biggest support system.

“She’s there for me when I need it,” Mwarema said.

His mom is key to his hours, too.

“She drives me to most of these community service events,” Mwarema said.

Mwarema’s acts don’t go unnoticed, and he sets an example for his fellow cadets.

“He’s a very good example. He doesn’t tell you the way things are; he shows you,” Dillard said.

“He lives his standard. He wouldn’t tell you to do something; he’d do it himself. He shows you what ‘right’ looks like.”