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SHS JROTC in the News | |
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GENERAL SHS JROTC FAVORITE LINKS General Dennis J. Reimer Training and Doctrine Digital Library |
SOUTH HIGH PROGRAM HELPS OUT THE NEEDY "Sitting on the floor and on top of tables within the home room of South High School's Junior Reserve officer Training Core, or JROTC, program, more than 70 boxes containing food were distributed to needy families in time for Christmas dinner Dec. 18. "Community service is a big part of (the) JROTC program along with leadership. Teaching students to take charge and run a food drive and benefit the South High families around us completes these goals," said Michael Blatti, senior army instructor within the South High JROTC program. During the weeks before the distribution cadets have been collecting non-perishable goods that have been donated by second period classes at South. In addition to the canned food drive, a change collection was taken with every penny, nickel, dime, quarter and dollar going toward buying perishable items like meat and milk. Made according the the size of each family, each box included various food products, a turkey, and dessert. "This food drive is very important for families who don't have enough money for Christmas dinner. Every family should be able to have a nice, warm dinner," said cadet Christopher Castro. Specifically targeting those less fortunate within South's boundaries, counselors and JROTC members made dozens of phone calls to locate those who needed food and assessed how to accommodate them. "I think this food drive is a good idea to help those in need of food because a lot of programs help only those who know about the program. This is a good way to help those you know need the help," said Sharon Ratzell, who picked up a box. An annual event, this year's drive set new records of 4,300 plus food items and over $700 raised. "It's a whole school effort and the cadets have been working very hard. They have done an awful lot of work," Blatti said.
TEENS AID PEERS WITH FOOD DRIVE There are plenty of charities and
organizations feeding the poor and homeless this holiday season in Kern
County. But for some caring South High School students, helping the
needy during this special time is more of a personal mission. MARIA MACHUCA
JROTC STUDENTS COMMENDED On Saturday, November 10, my husband and I had the honor and privilege of being chaperones for the South High School JROTC Color Guard while they performed a presentation and posting of colors at Coconut Joe's. The event was a fund-raiser for a Veterans' Memorial Park to be constructed locally. These students distinguished themselves both by their performance and the rescue of a large U.S. flag on display. A gust of wind had torn the flag loose and was in danger of falling to the ground. The JROTC cadets moved quickly to prevent the flag from being soiled, then properly folded the flag and presented it to coordinators of the event. The cadets then had to rescue their own U.S. and state flags from Mother Nature's wind. The U.S. flag survived, but flames from a tiki torch damaged the state flag. After seeing the anguish in their eyes over the damaged state flag, we began to understand how deeply the cadets feel about flag and country. If these students/cadets are our future, then we are in good hands. We salute you. LYNDA SMITH | |
