With funds from the Central High School Foundation, Central’s JROTC cadets were outfitted with new marksmanship air rifles and color guard equipment. This equipment plus hours of practice lead to the cadets earning first place in the OPS Rifle League this year, where two cadets were awarded first and second place in marksmanship in the district and took second place in the OPS Biathlon.
Along with the marksmanship awards, the CHS JROTC cadets impact countless alumni and community members during all the events they participate in throughout the year such as graduation exercises, the CHS Foundation’s Passing Periods luncheons, home football and basketball games, among many others. Major Ryan Cripps (Ret), one of the JROTC instructors, continues to be impressed by the dedication the cadets show to the program and to the ideals JROTC embodies.
MAJ Ryan Cripps
We are a great representation of Central. With funds from the CHS Foundation, we can continue to make JROTC a stand-out program where everyone can excel with hard work and dedication.
Along with teaching leadership, team building, first aid, and several other life skills essential to excel after high school, Major Cripps and SFC Andrew Amberg stress the JROTC Mission, which is to motivate young people to be better citizens. According to Cripps, “Whether they go to college, straight into the military or workforce, or trade school, our cadets are more prepared to succeed and tackle what life has to throw at them.”
Cadet Major Alex Krasnoslobodtsev, who has earned the prestigious Legion of Honor Award, says, “I am thankful for the support from the Foundation for JROTC. Just like JROTC has become one of my main commitments in high school, the new equipment shows us that others are committed to JROTC too. The skills I learn in this class are skills I use outside of school and will use in the future.”