On March 29th, Selma High’s MCJROTC program participated in the 27th CECA field meet in which they took home second place.
“It’s an athletic competition,” states cadet Nevaeh Sandoval-Avila, “[There are] minigames to win.”
There had been nine schools that participated in the field meet. Some of which, and not limited to, are Fresno, McLane, Duncan, etc. These field meet competitions happen once a year with the winning school getting a trophy they have the honor to keep. The school’s name is on the trophy as well.
“MCJROTC placed second place overall out of nine schools from across California,” says cadet Liam Celaya.
These “minigames” are not an easy feat . A majority of these minigames are to test out strength and endurance. These challenges are to get the participants moving. Some of the events are Boardwalk, crossfit, pushups, crunch/sit-ups, shuttle run, mile run, ultimate frisbee, tug of war, and combat dodgeball (which is dodgeball with an MCJROTC twist).
“I competed in crossfit, combat dodgeball, crunches, and shuttle run,” says cadet Celaya, “very fun events. [My] favorite was combat dodgeball.”
“I loved seeing my cadets have fun, even the ones I haven’t connected with yet,” states new commanding officer Shianna Hayes. “It’s an amazing feeling to see you and others work, play out smoothly and [be] fun for others.”
Furthermore, Lesli Lima Hernandez, a sophomore who participated in crunches, shared that the MCJROTC program has been immensely dedicating their engrossment in a plethora of ways. Through the course of these events they apply teamwork, dexterity, experiences, and qualities gained. The range of events consist of accompanying sixth graders on their camp experience by availing them in activities such as zip lining, archery, and several others that require them to implement the leadership facets that they have accumulated. They meticulously merge their teamwork to place flags for Memorial Day for glory and representation, help with parking in the Sikh Parade, and attend baseball games, and Highland games as well.
Their main group that participates are cadets that practice for drill and marksmanship. They are hoping and constantly seeking for people to join and traverse these competitions with them.
“I enjoy the program. It’s a fun program and it really helps you get out of your comfort zone. It helps you build confidence in yourself,” Lesli Lima said.
She also conveyed that this program wields grand opportunities to attain scholarships and community service hours for future pathways taken by the contributors to this.
“We hope to grow the program,” expressed Lesli.
“If you’re very timid and want to put yourself out there,” cadet Sandoval-Avila adds, “[the program] they push you where you need to be. If you’re looking for community service hours this is your way of getting some.”
New commanding officer Hayes feels really strongly about the program. She states that the program is growing slowly but surely.
“As we go through life we come with challenges and flaws and to pursue and overcome them feels better than to fall behind,” she states, “That’s how I feel leading this program, like we can do anything we try at and will succeed.”