Members of Mariner High School JROTC to compete in Junior Olympics and Civilian Marksmanship Program National Championship
In an historic achievement, the Mariner High School JROTC Leadership Team’s air rifle component has punched their ticket to the biggest stage in their competitive realm.
Of the 18-cadet team, six have plans to travel to the Junior Olympics and Civilian Marksmanship Program National Championship at Camp Perry in Ohio for the three-day competition. They will travel alongside their coaches: Department Head and Senior Army Instructor Bryan Williams, and his wife and volunteer coach, Marybeth.
The national championships feature competitors from any and all youth shooting programs across the country.
“It’s the ultimate goal for a cadet athlete,” Williams said. “But it’s also significant for Lee County and Southwest Florida. Looking back, it’s the first time in Lee County’s history that an air rifle team has made it to this level.”
The students include: Cadet/Lieutenant Colonel Elena Cardenas-Cruz (11th grade), Cadet/Sergeant First Class Nathan Krokstrom (Florida State Sporter Class champion; 10th grade), Cadet/Sergeant First Class Eryka Vazquez (ranked second in Lee County, ninth in Florida; 10th grade), Cadet/Sergeant First Class Trent Olsen (10th grade), Cadet/Corporal Tyler Dennard (ninth grade), and Cadet/Lieutenant Colonel Kahla Berry (11th grade).
The championships take place from June 23 to 25.
Williams said while the school is profoundly pleased with its seven JROTC after school programs and achievements, what they really pride themselves on is giving back to the community.
“These kids perform community service on a weekly basis, whether it’s supporting our principal’s initiatives on campus, to mentoring four different schools in Cape Coral,” Williams said. “Sending juniors and seniors to middle or elementary schools to coach, teach and mentor younger students really pays dividends. They’re out volunteering all over Cape Coral and Lee County to support different events.”
Recently, the Mariner JROTC program volunteered with Lee Health’s military support program on Memorial Day. Last year, the group performed a service learning project in support of Lee Health, where the end result was 93 jumbo care packages for deployed service members that live in Southwest Florida.
For the JROTC food drive held in February between all of the programs locally, Mariner collected a little over 15,000 food items to benefit Community Cooperative.
“I would say one of the most rewarding outcomes of being a JROTC instructor is receiving feedback from adults that clearly are convinced and confident that they’re leaving this world in better hands,” Williams said. “When they see these kids, and their leadership, and their character, (they’re blown away). The character of these kids — it’s based on values. Our foundation is what we call the seven Army values. We preach it and we teach it, all day every day. And the output is kids that are motivated to be better citizens.”
Williams said the team has a fundraising goal of $10,000 to take the trip to Ohio. He’s confident they’ll reach their goal, but assistance is still needed. Looking beyond even this upcoming competition, there are various Mariner JROTC teams that are on track to qualify for events that require travel both in and out of state.
“The funding just isn’t there to get all of that done,” Williams said. “We’re really looking to create community partners where we’re not just reaching our hand out. Our kids can become a partner to their organization and perhaps in return, those organizations are able to help us -and not just financially. We’re looking for mutual support, long-time partnerships.”
When it comes to the skills necessary to reach this echelon of competition, Williams said it takes countless hours of commitment.
The cadets will be scored in a team format, based on shooting 20 shots in three positions: prone, standing, and kneeling.
“What differentiates marksmanship from other athletics — to compete at this level, the commitment is year-round,” Williams said. “Other than holiday or school break, there is no break.”
Marksmanship camp continues in July, and cadets practice a minimum of three days each week all 12 months.
Williams said their success should be accredited to not just the kids’ dedication, or his work with the team, but also to Marybeth. The pair are both veterans and met while serving in the Army.
“It is very rare to see one coach to lead a team to this level,” he said. “A second coach is a game changer. It just so happens to be that my wife is an even higher-level air rifle coach than I am. She has advanced qualifications. She was a better shooter than me in the Army.”
Mariner’s JROTC program has had three Golden Apple recipients in the last seven years (two currently still on the staff), including Williams.
“Mariner possesses instructors who truly deliver America’s premier ‘character education’ curriculum, which translates into student success — such as higher GPAs, improved attendance, less disciplinary problems,” Williams said. “JROTC’s curriculum includes lessons about ethics, civics, leadership skills, public speaking, etiquette, first aid and team-building.”
For those interested in donating to the program’s trip, contributions can be made to Mariner High School Attn: JROTC.
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To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com