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7th Annual JROTC competition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ivyann Castillo
  • 171st Public Affairs
June 2010 --       Approximately 350 Junior ROTC students from nine different high schools near Pittsburgh and surrounding areas including West Virginia participated in the annual all day event here, April 29.
     Each JROTC detachment had to compete against each other in several events such as the large group formation, honor guard event and the Recruiter's Challenge.
     The Recruiter's Challenge consisted of a Self Aid-Buddy Care (SABC) Relay Race, Chemical Defense ensemble donning challenge and finally the male and female push-up challenge.
     Cadet Alan Erb from West Mifflin High School JROTC sang the national anthem before the competition began.
     In conjunction with the ground activities, each school selected two seniors to fly on the KC-135 Stratotanker.  In all, 19 seniors were permitted to fly on the KC-135 and watch the F-22 Raptor refueling in mid-air.
     All students on the ground put on their game faces and competed to the best of their abilities.  However, there is only one winner in this challenge.
     Ambridge High School won the large group formation and Lewis County High School took the lead in the honor guard competition.
     For the Recruiter's Challenge, West Mifflin High School won for SABC relay race, and Penn Hills High School scored highest in the Chemical Defense ensemble challenge.  For the push-up event, Cadet Cameron Pawlowski, from Penn Hills High School won for the most male push-ups and Cadet Allison Hamilton from Valley High School won for the most female push-ups.
     The overall winning school was West Mifflin High School.
     "I was overly impressed with the honor guard competition, and only wish that there were awards to be presented to all those who competed," stated Senior Master Sgt. Eggert, superintendent, 171st Security Forces Squadron.  "I think it's wonderful and a true blessing that these young men and women are as dedicated as they are."
     After the seniors returned from their flight, they joined their fellow cadets on the ground for a static display tour as well as a recruiting information session, explaining different careers in the Air and Army National Guard.  In addition, the ARNG provided some challenge games and displays for the students.
     "This was a great opportunity for the different junior ROTC students to display what they learned to our unit as well as their fellow competing schools," said Maj. Janet Van Dyke, pilot, 171st Operations Group.
     "The event also promotes the Air National Guard with a fun day of activities not just with competing, but to include an orientation flight for members of each school," said Master Sgt. Suzanne Smith, senior recruiter, 171st Mission Support Group.