thedrifter
03-14-07, 07:44 AM
Union Grove squad on way to nationals
Navy Junior ROTC team raises money to compete
By JULIE SOUZA WASHBURN
For the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/15/07
A group of 40 students from the Union Grove High School NJ (Navy Junior) ROTC won first place in a regional drill competition last month and was the only school in Georgia chosen to compete next month at a national drill competition in Florida.
The Union Grove students have been practicing all school year for the competition, which includes five kinds of military marching drills, academic testing, and physical training and endurance tests.
Kids on the team get to school an hour early every day and stay two hours after school training. They have even given up some weekends and school holidays.
"They are extremely hardworking kids, and they are very competitive," said drill instructor Sgt. Maj. Jack Reese, who is retired from the Marines.
In their February regional competition, the squad won first place among teams from 54 other schools in Georgia and North Florida. The national competition April 13 and 14 in Pensacola, Fla., will include 23 top teams from schools across the United States as well as teams from Guam, Puerto Rico and Japan.
April will be the third year the Union Grove team has traveled to the nationals. Last year the team placed seventh at the national competition, and in 2005 it came in third.
The trip this year will cost the team about $8,000, and the students will be responsible for raising most of the money themselves. So far, the team has participated in several fund-raisers, including car washes, bagging groceries for tips and selling candy.
"It's a lot of hard work, but it's definitely worth it in the end," said senior Cameron Smith, who is the student commanding officer of the squad at Union Grove.
Smith has been in the program since ninth grade and leads the armed basic drill team and the military marching with rifles team.
In addition to the 40 students who will be traveling to compete next month, about 150 youths, ages 13 to 18, are participating in the program at Union Grove this year.
The organization emphasizes discipline and responsibility as well as community service and volunteering time to help others. Recently, 125 students volunteered to pick up trash in the community. The group also has volunteered with charitable organizations in Henry County such as the Friend's House.
"It's not just about being a winning drill team," Reese said. "It's about being a good citizen."
Ellie
Navy Junior ROTC team raises money to compete
By JULIE SOUZA WASHBURN
For the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/15/07
A group of 40 students from the Union Grove High School NJ (Navy Junior) ROTC won first place in a regional drill competition last month and was the only school in Georgia chosen to compete next month at a national drill competition in Florida.
The Union Grove students have been practicing all school year for the competition, which includes five kinds of military marching drills, academic testing, and physical training and endurance tests.
Kids on the team get to school an hour early every day and stay two hours after school training. They have even given up some weekends and school holidays.
"They are extremely hardworking kids, and they are very competitive," said drill instructor Sgt. Maj. Jack Reese, who is retired from the Marines.
In their February regional competition, the squad won first place among teams from 54 other schools in Georgia and North Florida. The national competition April 13 and 14 in Pensacola, Fla., will include 23 top teams from schools across the United States as well as teams from Guam, Puerto Rico and Japan.
April will be the third year the Union Grove team has traveled to the nationals. Last year the team placed seventh at the national competition, and in 2005 it came in third.
The trip this year will cost the team about $8,000, and the students will be responsible for raising most of the money themselves. So far, the team has participated in several fund-raisers, including car washes, bagging groceries for tips and selling candy.
"It's a lot of hard work, but it's definitely worth it in the end," said senior Cameron Smith, who is the student commanding officer of the squad at Union Grove.
Smith has been in the program since ninth grade and leads the armed basic drill team and the military marching with rifles team.
In addition to the 40 students who will be traveling to compete next month, about 150 youths, ages 13 to 18, are participating in the program at Union Grove this year.
The organization emphasizes discipline and responsibility as well as community service and volunteering time to help others. Recently, 125 students volunteered to pick up trash in the community. The group also has volunteered with charitable organizations in Henry County such as the Friend's House.
"It's not just about being a winning drill team," Reese said. "It's about being a good citizen."
Ellie