The Waimea High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program was awarded the Honor Unit with Distinction following its annual Federal Inspection in October, said Cadet Captain Wili Wheatley, Battalion S-5, Public Affairs Officer. The awarding of the Honor Unit
The Waimea High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program was awarded the Honor Unit with Distinction following its annual Federal Inspection in October, said Cadet Captain Wili Wheatley, Battalion S-5, Public Affairs Officer.
The awarding of the Honor Unit with Distinction has been recipient of this mark of excellence since 1997, and enables Major (retired) Victor Aguilar, director of the Waimea program, to nominate cadets for appointments to the various military academies.
Wheatley said the Waimea Jr. ROTC battalion’s performance in its staff briefing and the entire battalion’s overall performance contributed to its award.
The Waimea Jr. ROTC battalion led off the Lights on Rice parade, Friday, by presenting the colors with the aid of the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
Cadet Rachel Coyaso, recently selected as Ms. Kaua‘i Veteran by the Kaua‘i Veterans Council, was joined by the battalion as it participated in the annual Veterans Day parade.
“It was the first time 75 cadets marched in unison through the town of Kapa‘a, demonstrating cohesion and teamwork,” Wheatley said.
Following that event, the Waimea Jr. ROTC was called on to support the ‘Ele‘ele School Veterans Day program on Nov. 10 where it provided a Color Guard, Drill Team, and a trio of buglers for the playing of “Taps” to honor the fallen soldiers.
Cadets were in the streets of Waimea and Kekaha, Nov. 11 to set up flags for public display before selected cadets adjourned to the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetary to participate in the annual Veterans Day Service, coordinated by the Kaua‘i Veterans Council.
Kendra Ishida, the current battalion leader, was joined by Kimberly Aguilar, Jasmine Cardenas and Branden Gatioan as the Waimea leadership team, finishing 8th at the national JROTC Leadership Academic Bowl in Virginia during the 2009-2010 school year.
“Both our leadership and academic teams have done well this year, scoring first and third, respectively in the state, and have been selected to participate in phase II of JLAB in February,” Wheatley said. “The leadership team scored an 82 followed by five schools scoring 73. Our team scored a 65, tying with Hilo High School, and just shy of the 68 scored by Waianae High School for first place.”
As the days neared Thanksgiving, Waimea Jr. ROTC cadets visited St. Theresa School and Waimea Canyon Middle School to assist in registration options for the respective schools’ incoming freshmen students.
Prior to the Lights on Rice parade, the Waimea Jr. ROTC participated in the presentation of colors at the Mayor’s and Kaua‘i County Council’s Inauguration.
Wheatley said the battalion is looking forward to its last major event in December when it marches in the Waimea Lights Parade, Dec. 18. It will also be selling Chinese pretzels as a fund-raiser for future events.
