Bob Jones JROTC Cadets excel at meets in Kentucky and Mississippi

These cadets in Junior ROTC at Bob Jones High School earned awards at a competition in Oxford, Miss. Photo courtesy of Bob Jones JROTC

MADISON – Cadets in Air Force Junior ROTC at Bob Jones High School proved their skills by winning honors in two states.

The Bob Jones Raiders earned awards at the JROTC National Raider Challenge at Fort Knox, Ky., while the Drill and Color Guard Teams excelled at the Lafayette High School’s 25th Annual Drill Competition in Oxford, Miss., according to Chief Master Sergeant or CMSgt Ellis Clark.

Clark mentors the Drill and Color Guard teams. Maj. Dr. Melissa Lacey serves as the teacher sponsor and coach for the Raiders groups.

“Our Raider Team, the B-21 Bombers, competed in the Nationals Raider Challenge at Fort Knox,” Clark said. The event is a high-intensity outdoor competition that tests cadets’ strengths.

The event on April 16-19 included various activities, such as obstacle courses, rope bridges for quickbuild tactical engineering, strength tests and first-aid challenges. The Physical Fitness Test uses sandbags; tires; synchronized sprints; teamwork; and leadership skills.

The 5K Team Run emphasizes endurance-focused team racing. The Cross Country Rescue is a battlefield- style evacuation drill. The Gauntlet Obstacle Course requires grit and strategy.

The competition is divided into three divisions: Challenge, Masters and All-Service, with the top teams competing in the Ultimate Raider Buddy Team event, which is a qualifying team event involving swimming, running and obstacles. The event is a significant part of the Army JROTC program, offering premier competitions and leadership experiences for cadets. (usarmyjrotc. army.mil/raider-home) Clark said he and Lacey were extremely proud that the cadets had the following finishes:

• Mixed Division – Gauntlet, third place; and Ultimate Raider, third place.

• Overall Mixed Division – Third place in pursuit of National Championship.

South and west of the Raiders’ competition, the Bob Jones JROTC Drill Team and Color Guard traveled to Oxford, Miss. for drill competition.

Clark took pride in the results for the cadets in drill team that he instructs: • Inspection — First place. Commanded by Cadet Elizabeth Lee.

• Regulation Drill – First place. Commanded by Cadet Hanna Barbre.

• Color Guard – First place. Commanded by Cadet Steeler Daw.

• Unarmed Regulation – First place. Commanded by Cadet Elizabeth Lee.

Participating team members were cadets Audrey Ellis, David Fields, Nick Fury, Grace Mehta, Zakura Reigel, Kaelyn Saintz, Kaydence Saintz and Peyton Webber.

“We won the Overall Champion Trophy for the competition . . . what a way to finish the drill season, having to compete against schools from four states and representing Alabama very well,” Clark said.