Throughout the year, NJROTC coach Dennis Grayless has his students busy. Starting off the summer with workouts in the morning, practicing varsity athletics. Grayless makes sure to keep an eye out for people who can compete in varsity athletics for their competitions  like the Area 13 championships, or Nationals, which include events like timed push-ups, sit-ups, and 100 yard sprints. 

During the fall, NJROTC works on their skills , but they still find time for the  Color Guard to present the United States flag and Kansas state flag before every football home game and assemblies. All of NJROTC also marches in the homecoming parade. Then during winter, NJROTC begins competing. 

The Area 13 Championships were a huge success this year, competitors were given awards for their successful performances. 

“NJROTC’s performance was outstanding and even helped us qualify for Nationals this year.” sophomore Blake Bonewits said.. Unfortunately, budget cuts resulted in Nationals hosted online this year.  

At the end of the year, the seniors teach the incoming cadets drills they have perform next year to keep the NJROTC program looking strong. Many of the freshmen this year wanted to learn the drills and help make the program stronger. 

“I wanted to learn the drills because I love being able to compete in things with the NJROTC program, since there’s a place for everybody to compete in,” freshman Mallak Bani-saad said. story by aryanna murphy