By Cadet Staff Sergeant Trinity Iwicki, Cadet 1st Lieutenant Gwyneth Kaughin and Cadet Captain Raquel Janes, Battalion S5 Section
The Annual JROTC Field Day, held the Friday before spring break, was the highlight for many Cadets as they closed out the third Nine Weeks of school. Cadets spent the day competing against each other in a myriad of activities, creating their own chants, banners, signs, flags, and shirt designs to showcase their spirit and creativity and support classmates as they competed on the field. Bravo Company emerged victorious with wins in spirit, volleyball, company drill, individual drill, and the Field Day skit. Alpha Company emerged with a win in capture the flag while Charlie Company earned first place finishes in tug-o-war and platoon drill. Delta Company finished the day with wins in flag football, kickball and squad drill.
Cadet Captain Kenya Smith, Bravo Company Commander, is one of only two Newsome students selected to participate at the very prestigious, Florida Girls State. Cadet Major Dylan Renfro, Wolfpack Battalion Executive Officer, has achieved another Newsome JROTC first. Upon winning the Army JROTC Cadet of the Year Board earlier this year, Cadet Renfro competed at the Hillsborough County Multi-Service Cadet of the Year Board against nine other cadets who won boards within their respective Service JROTC’s. At the JROTC Cadet of the Year Recognition Ceremony held at Freedom High School, he was designated the Hillsborough County All Service JROTC Cadet of the Year.
Cadets Private First Class Zachary Judah and Sergeant Andrew Fischer also distinguished themselves winning the March Cadet and
Noncommissioned Officer of the Month Boards respectively.
The Drill team travelled to Anclote High School and competed at the District Level. The competition proved their most successful this year and spirits are high for the upcoming State competition. The Leadership Education Training (LET) One Unarmed Squad brought home a first place trophy. Squad Exhibition and Regulation Unarmed Platoon both earned second place positions. Platoon Exhibition and Male/Mixed Color Guard placed third and the Female Color Guard came home with a fourth place win. Finally, Cadet First Sergeant David Swartzlander placed 5th overall in the Individual Armed Exhibition category. All of these accomplishments boosted Newsome to an Overall Second Place finish for the day.
The Rifle Team had a very impressive showing at Districts in March coming away as District Champions. Notable performances include Cadet Staff Sergeant Logan Portugue – 1st place overall, Cadet Corporal Riley Chadbourne – 2nd place overall, Cadet Second Lieutenant Ryan Chalk – 4th Place overall and Cadet Sergeant Madison Swanson – 5th place overall. The team came away with seven trophies and eight individual neck medals!
For more, visit www.newsome jrotc.com.
