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.