By NewsLine Staff
mail@floridanewsline.com
After being recognized as the top program in the nation last year, beating out more than 600 units, Nease’s NJROTC program had high expectations coming into this year. Senior Naval Science Instructor Captain Scott LaRochelle retired and 63 seniors graduated, but the cadets were up for the challenge that comes with change. Nease NJROTC started this year off with a sweeping victory at its first major drill competition of the 2022 – 23 school year at the annual South Effingham High School Drill Meet in Guyton, Georgia on Nov. 5.
In addition to claiming the overall trophy, Nease earned first place trophies in nine out of 12 events for Personnel Inspection, Academics, Unarmed Exhibition Drill, Armed Basic Drill, Armed Exhibition Drill, Athletics Overall, Pushups, Curl Ups and the 16 x 100 as well as second place in Drill Overall and Unarmed Basic Drill. A highlight was Cadet NS3 (junior) Caden Byas competing in the Curl Up event and completing 437 curl ups — earning him the medal for first place in that event.
Nease placed second and third out of 26 teams in South Effingham’s Air Rifle Meet on Oct. 22, qualifying for Regionals in Shoulder to Shoulder. Cadets Hailey Pitches, Danielle Reynolds and Kamrayn Schultz all shot their personal best and team high scores. Nease’s Orienteering Team also qualified for Regionals in October by placing sixth and seventh in Brunswick, Georgia’s hosted sanctioned meet. Cadet NS3 Diann Taylor completed the hardest course, finishing in second place which was a personal best for her on that level course.
Nease also welcomed their newest member of the team with CWO3 Michael Donato joining as the new Senior Naval Science Instructor in October.
If you are interested in seeing what Nease’s NJROTC program is all about, Nease is hosting a sanctioned drill meet Saturday, Dec. 17 at Nease High School, which is open to the general public.
Photo courtesy Michael Donato
Master Chief Spears and the Nease Cadets posing with all their trophies from the South Effingham Drill Meet.
