JROTC cadets across North East ISD commit their minds and bodies to the program. So, it’s no surprise that months of hard work, discipline, and dedication from cadets on the Churchill High School Joint Leadership Academic Bowl (JLAB) team helped solidify them as one of the best in the nation. The Churchill team, made up of cadets Reece Crawford, Hunter Loftin, Macie Morris, and Samuel Widman, earned top scores in the 2018-2019 school year and were one of just 32 teams in the nation to advance to the championship competition in Washington, D.C. in June.
During the competition, the Churchill JLAB team was quizzed on several different categories, including government, history, leadership, science and more. Months of practice resulted in a stellar performance on a national stage, and 7th place finish. Senior cadets Samuel Widman and Macie Morris know their performance is a testament to the core JROTC values that they strive for in all aspects of their life.
“JROTC isn’t just physical, it’s also mental,” said Morris. “I think when you join this program you don’t expect to get a lot out of it but you really do. It’s helped me build up my confidence, it molds you as a person and it changes you. I think you get a sense of pride and teamwork out of it and people start to understand their worth and value as a person.”
The JLAB cadets were recognized during a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 29. The entire Churchill battalion watched on as they received multiple national award ribbons and certificates, including the General George C. Marshall Leadership and Academic Award and Ribbon. Cadets Widman and Morris are seniors now, so they won’t be able to compete on the team this year. But they will be serving in a mentor role, following in the footsteps of the dedicated instructors who have challenged and inspired them over the last three years.
“Our instructors are great,” said Widman. “They really focus on every cadet and make sure that everyone is taken care of. They make everyone feel like they matter.”
Click here to learn more about North East ISD’s JROTC program.
Posted on 8-29-19
