By Kiana Caranto
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MHS’ Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) participated in Organization Day, an island-wide JROTC competition, held on Aug. 24 at Bellows Air Force Base. As the first event of the new school year, it gave the cadets an opportunity to bond and set the foundation for the upcoming year.
“It really gives you a chance to get to know people here and have fun with them,” expressed Freshman Nicholas Alvarado, “It’s more fun when you know people. So by that logic, you’ll have a better and more fun year.”
JROTC participated in 15 different events including the Coconut Tree Climb, Tug-of-war, Litter Carry and Plank Walk. As a result, MHS brought home first place trophies in the Football Toss, Bowling and Motivation categories. “That shows that our Trojan Battalion is really established in high school and that the kids are really motivated,” said JROTC adviser Lt. Col. Timothy Schiller, “(It) shows that we have good athletes overall.”
However, the purpose of the event was not for MHS to win the most trophies, but to have a day full of honest competition. “We always tell them it’s not about so much winning, it’s to do your best and be a team,” explained Schiller, “Let’s do it the honest way. Let’s not cut any corners, let’s not try to cheat. Let’s just do the best we can.”
The events facilitated teamwork to involve the participation of all members. “I think it really helps because you have to work more as a team instead of just one individual, and so it helps solidify bonds,” stated Alvarado. Schiller added, “It’s all about one word, teamwork.”
Although an informal event, the vadets practiced the week prior to the competition and took the events seriously. “Its just a really good day to come out and have fun,” said Alvarado, “But it’s also kind of in a serious tone where you have to be in your battalion and you have to be in formation.”
Organization Day also gave the Trojan Battalion a chance to see things other schools excelled at that they could improve on. “I think it gives them an idea of what other units look like and how they can improve, what aspects they weren’t good at and what other units were good at and vice versa,” expressed Junior Madeline Lee, who stepped in as Battalion Commander for the day.
Organization Day not only allowed the cadets to form bonds within their battalion, but with cadets from other schools as well. “I think it just gives a base of friendly competition and also camaraderie between schools,” said Lee. Alvarado added, “I think my favorite part was just mingling with the other cadets from other battalions and actually getting to know them.”
With more cadets than last year, JROTC is excited to compete with other schools during the upcoming competitions of the following months.
