On Friday, March 12, more than 50 cadets stood tall to officially activate the Navy JROTC program’s first year of operation at Cherokee High School.
Parents, community members and school officials filled the school’s gym on the day of the unit’s official activation.
The ceremony was the culmination of seven months of hard work for both the Naval science instructors and the Corps of Cadets.
The guest speaker at the Activation ceremony was Rear Admiral Daniel P. Holloway. Holloway is currently the Director of Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education in Washington, D.C. The Maple Shade native spoke about the need for educated young adults to become active citizens in the 21st century and that the nation needs young men and women who can serve our nation in various roles, to include the U.S. Navy.
In addition to Holloway, the Lenape Regional High School District Superintendent Emily Capella, Cherokee North High School Principal Linda Rohrer, Cherokee South Principal Ken Denn, CDR Joe Hankins USN (Ret), and other school officials welcomed the new program to the school. The unit color guard presented the colors at the beginning of the ceremony, followed by remarks from Cherokee North Principal Linda Rohrer and Lenape Regional High School District Superintendent Emily Capella.
“Our primary goal this first year for the unit is to make the cadets learn the basics,” said Major Meehan, the senior Naval science instructor. “Our next goal is to build upon that foundation and increase cadet leadership responsibilities.”
Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps is a new elective at Cherokee High School for the 2009–10 school year. The program focuses on developing a cadet’s level of confidence, self-discipline, leadership skills and his or her commitment for community service and involvement. Cadets who are interested in military service can also obtain advance pay grades and Military Academy nominations and scholarships by successfully participating in NJROTC. There is no military obligation for participating in JROTC.
See this week’s print edition of The Telegram fro the full story.
