Samantha Ruffin is a high achieving student at the Entrepreneur and Leadership Military Academy at Hollywood Hills High School. At the recent Monarch High School drill meet, she won first place overall for females in the physical training category and first place in the mile run and first place in sit ups.
“I feel accomplished and I loved being a part of the competition. I also love being a part of the Academy and the physical training program,” said Ruffin.
The Leadership Academy Team won first place in the physical training category and second place overall at the drill meet. First Sergeant Manuel Valdez was very proud when it was announced that the Leadership Academy had earned second place out of a group of strong JROTC programs. “This is a big deal. We did well today,” said Valdez.
Ion Hunt also, a student in the Leadership Academy won first place in the male mile run and did well in other categories. “This was a good accomplishment. I am proud of how our team did today,” he said.
First Sergeant Marvin Solis of the Leadership Academy was proud of this team’s effort. “They dominated today. We have a very strong fitness program,” he said.
The physical fitness competition included a one-mile run, sit ups, and moving 70 pounds over 100 yards. The cadets were also evaluated on military style marching and color guard.
Cadet Major Andrea Sandoval of the Leadership Academy said, “We have worked hard together as a team and we have built bonds. We have a strong fitness program.”
The Hollywood Hills Army JROTC also participated in the drill meet. They competed in military style marching, physical fitness and color guard. “We did well in all the areas we participated,” said First Sergeant Troy Finley, an instructor.
Cadet First Lieutenant Alexandra Mercado said, “We did well. I love being a part of JROTC. We are big family. Cadet First Lieutenant Jariner Rosario agreed. “We work hard together but we have a lot of camaraderie,” she said.
The South Broward High School Army JROTC program also participated in the drill meet. They competed in military style marching and color guard and received accolades for their efforts. Lieutenant Colonel Leeann Kohler was proud of the team. “We have a lot of dedication and discipline. We did well today. We have a lot of camaraderie. We are a student led organization,” she said.
Chief Warrant Officer Eddie Eaglespirit, an instructor for the South Broward JROTC said, “This a good program. It builds a sense of discipline and camaraderie. We teach students to become leaders and good citizens,” he said.
The teams that participated in the drill meet were spirited and enthusiastic. Most of the members of the JROTC programs love military style training and the strong sense of family that the programs offer. An important goal of the JROTC programs is to develop leaders and good citizens. The instructors emphasize it is not a military recruiting program. Now, the JROTC programs are training for larger drill meets.