By Karen Neill
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On Feb. 15 and 17 MHS’ Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program competed in the Great Aloha Run High School Fitness Challenge for its second year. With determination and perseverance, JROTC placed first at this year’s challenge.
“They were really motivated, they were focused and they wanted to make the school proud,” said JROTC adviser Lt. Col. Timothy Schiller, “It’s just amazing how physically fit and aggressive our cadets are.”
Twenty students participated in the first day of the competition, which was held at the Neil Blaisdell Center. The challenge consisted of five events: the inverted crawl, jump rope, burpees, three-legged race and Japanese slippers, in which three students stood on two planks and tried to walk in unison. The second and final part of the challenge was conducted after 75 students and 25 staff members ran the 8.15 miles of the Great Aloha Run. Another event required two female and male cadets to run laps around Aloha Stadium in a baton relay. “Once everyone started (finishing the Great Aloha Run), then we ran the (relay) race in the field,” Freshman Jake Lafata explained, “We were kind of tired (already).”
Despite the challenge being a competition, cadets used it as an opportunity to have fun. “We went in thinking, ‘Hey this is going to be something fun, let’s do it to have fun, it doesn’t matter about winning, it doesn’t matter about points,’” said Freshman Emily Statzer.
Next year, Schiller plans on having at least 10 practices, hoping to continue MHS’ participation in the Great Aloha Run High School Fitness Challenge, in addition to keeping their title as champions.
