JROTC Cadets Earn Awards

December 2, 2005

More than 100 Plano Independent School District JROTC student cadets participated in a drill meet in Fort Worth on Saturday, November 19, capturing several individual and team awards.

The JROTC program provides multiple opportunities for student cadets to compete at both the varsity and junior varsity levels in ROTC subjects earning letter jackets, trophies, and individual medals.

On November 19, cadets from Plano West Senior High, Plano Senior High, Plano East Senior High and all feeder 9-10 schools competed in the Fort Worth Drill Meet. Trophies and individual medals were earned in academic subjects, physical fitness, color guard, armed and unarmed drill teams and rifle marksmanship.

This Army-sponsored drill meet included 48 schools from a four state area. More than 1900 cadets competed, allowing them to develop their skills and talents in a highly competitive atmosphere.

Plano ISD's three cluster JROTC programs generally compete in these large drill meets six times each year, following many hours of after school practice. In addition, Plano East has an active orienteering program which competes frequently.

PISD's JROTC program director, Major (Ret) John Napoli, Jr., states, that "The purpose of JROTC is to motivate young people to be better citizens. In addition, cadets are taught the value of good sportsmanship as they compete for the awards.

"The cadets of PISD are upholding the traditions of excellence, winning and domination on the playing field. The program not only develops young men and women who will be the exemplary citizens and leaders of tomorrow, but also the tough competitors needed to survive in a competitive world."