Self-discipline is not something innate, but learned. Just ask Haughton High AFJROTC
Instructor Col. Tony Zucco, who exhibits impeccable moral character, leads at the highest level,
and approaches everything he does with clear focus and determination. Rewind to his youth
and that was not always the case.
“Much of my drive comes from my teenage years,” Zucco explained. “I grew up in a big city and
went to a high school in a rough neighborhood where most of my friends planned to become
policemen, firemen, EMS techs or military members, and the others dropped out or worse. One
of my high school teachers saw I was headed in the wrong direction, mentored me and watched
out for me. He ensured I stayed out of trouble, did things with purpose and for the right reasons,
and (I) grew in my faith in God no matter how bad I thought things were.”
Col. Zucco credits that relationship with changing his life and making him who he is today on the
campus of Haughton High.
“As I moved along and enjoyed my Air Force career, in the back of my mind I kept thinking
about that teacher. Should I – and would I – enjoy doing the same for teens as that teacher did
for me?” Zucco reflected. “When I looked into becoming a JROTC instructor, I saw the perfect
combination of teaching, coaching, mentoring, motivating and believing in teens and young
adults that I experienced while in school and the Air Force. The last 15 years have been an
awesome way to pay it forward.”
A strong advocate of JROTC, Zucco sees the virtues the program offers cadets, from character
development and leadership skills to opportunities in service, teamwork building and survival
skills; yet he does not stop there. Zucco has expanded offerings to include marksmanship and
cyber defense teams, rocketry, orienteering and more, cultivating a legion of fans along the way.
“As a parent of a marksmanship team member, I have seen firsthand how he teaches far more
than technical skill; he stills true leadership,” Crystal Wood wrote. “Always the first to arrive and
the last to leave, he tirelessly seeks out training and scholarship opportunities to secure his
cadets’ futures. Most impressively, he serves as a bridge for those lacking family or financial
support, ensuring every student has an equal path to success.”
“Colonel possesses a rare gift for seeing a cadet’s potential long before they see it in
themselves,” J.D. Wood added. “In the LA-801st, he doesn’t just fill slots in a program; he
identifies the quiet strengths in students and nudges them toward challenges – like the
marksmanship team – that they might otherwise have been too intimidated to try.”
Erin Rigsby and Layla Briggs are two of the many Bucs in Blue who Zucco has had a profound
effect on.
“He is an extremely selfless person,” Rigsby said. “He cares deeply about his cadets and never
gets a break.Colonel works 24/7 just for the Haughton High JROTC to succeed. He dedicates
hours of his time to the JROTC unit with drill meets, traveling, community service. There is so
much about this guy, I can’t even go into detail. Colonel is one of the most influential people in
my life.”
Briggs added, “I am a former student, but he made a huge impact on me. I used to be afraid to
speak up or do anything. He taught me how to be brave and really opened me up to be the
person I am now.”
Thousands of students have learned under Col. Zucco’s tutelage over the years, and there are
many more testimonials like the ones shared. It’s why Col. Tony Zucco is Bossier Schools’ final
Gold Star recipient of the 2025-26 school year.
“I’m humbled and especially proud of the students and parents who believed in someone, in this
case me, enough to make the effort to recognize them,” Zucco said. “Of course, I could not do
what I do without the huge support of my family.”
He added, “Thanks to Chief Brown and the teachers who support our program. Big thanks to the
parents and alumni who believe in the program and instructors. Most of all, a huge thanks to the
cadets who took the risk to join, to step out of their comfort zone, to learn, build, run, and
support their Corps, making it one of the best in the nation … that’s a fact!”
Editor’s note: Bossier Schools extends its gratitude to Bossier Federal Credit Union for
sponsoring the Gold Star award program since its inception 13 years ago, and to the Bossier
Press Tribune for featuring every Gold Star’s story.