Newspaper Page Text
EDUCATION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 - 27, 2017 • Page 18
Participants in Cross Keys High School’s NJROTC program say the elective makes them mentally and physically stronger through competitions, training and camaraderie.
Photos submitted.
NJROTC OFFERS STUDENTS DISCIPLINE, DRIVE
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Each school day, Cross
Keys High School senior Nikol
Diaz makes sure her grades,
physical fitness and character
are exemplary in the eyes of
her peers and teachers.
This comes as second
nature, Diaz said, as she is a
member of the Navy Junior
Reserve Officer Training Corps
(NJROTC).
"I wish I had joined earlier,"
Diaz said."lt's the highlight of
my time in high school. It has
improved my leadership skills
and communication skills—
I'm not shy anymore."
NJROTC is a military-
themed elective and
afterschool program at
high schools nationwide.
The program emphasizes
character development,
citizenship, self-confidence,
mental toughness and
physical discipline for
students by mirroring
regimens in the Army, Navy,
Air Force, Coast Guard and
Marines.
ROTC programs compete
against one another through
drill meets. At meets,
students march in formation,
have physical training
competitions, color guard
contests, rifle competitions
and academic competitions.
The program also offers
opportunities for community
service and time on military
bases to experience the life of
an enlisted person firsthand.
Diaz, a NJROTC member
for two years, serves as a
public affairs officer for Cross
Keys' program. She said she
has always been interested
in the Navy because of the
opportunities it can afford
later in life and hopes to enlist
after graduating.
Diaz said it's hard to
relate what makes NJROTC
a special program for her
but credits other students—
known as cadets—as well
as her instructors, Laurence
McPherson and William
Davis.
"It's the people you
surround yourself with,"Diaz
said. "We don't leave anyone
behind—if we see someone
struggling or needing help
with anything, there's always
someone there to motivate
you. It's not always in ROTC,
but other things. If I'm having
trouble, I know someone is
there to help me out."
Diaz said the program
keeps her and fellow cadets
focused on school. Her
grades stay up because it is
mandatory in ROTC—anyone
below a certain threshold
risks being booted from the
program. Inadequate grades
also prevent students from
participating in competitions
or field trips.
"I've gotten a lot of
perspective," Diaz said. "The
discipline has helped me a
lot. Everyone in the NJROTC
program and my platoon
makes sure each other isn't
Cross Keys High School’s NJORTC program recently competed at a drill meet in Henry County where
it claimed a third place trophy. Photo submitted
falling behind. We always ask
everyone to keep their grades
in check, keep practicing after
school and stay motivated for
community service. We make
sure we all have a positive
attitude."
Each week in NJROTC is
regimented in the way a life
in the armed services may
be, Diaz said. On Mondays,
students practice drills.
On Tuesdays, students
discuss current events,
study measurements for
drills, ribbons, flag folding,
color guard history and
more. Wednesdays provide
instructors time to inspect
students to make sure they
are on track. On Thursdays,
students are tested on
knowledge learned on
Tuesdays, and Fridays provide
a time for physical training.
Diaz is proud Cross
Keys' program won its first
trophy in a long while at a
competition held in Henry
County on Sept. 9. She said
the meet is a good jumping
off point for Cross Keys'
current cadre of students.
"Our school has a lot to
improve on, but we're getting
there," Diaz said. "We have
a strong unit. This year may
be the year that we improve
more than we ever have. We
came in third place. It was a
fun meet to start the year off
and get things going."
Events in November
will include fundraisers, a
Veteran's Day parade with
ROTC programs throughout
DeKalb County School
District, multiple physical
fitness tests, a military ball
and more competitions.
"I like to see other schools
and what they do, what each
person is doing," Diaz said.
"Other schools have more
equipment and more space,
but we're doing good for
what we have."
For more information
about Cross Keys High
School's NJROTC program,
visit https://crosskeysnjrotc.
weebly.com/contacts.
html or contact Laurence
McPherson or William Davis
at laurence_mcpherson@
dekalbschoolsga.org
and WILUAM_G_DAVIS@
dekalbschoolsga.org,
respectively.