Surprise, tears and pride followed a major national award given to Annapolis High School?s JROTC program.
The school?s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps was named the U.S. Navy League?s Most Outstanding Unit at the 14th annual change of command ceremony Thursday.
“It validates the program and lets everybody in the country know that we?re doing a great job,” said Principal Don Lilley. “The instructors are good, and the kids are working very hard.”
Annapolis? unit, with about 100 cadets, topped 600 programs across the country.
The citizenship program is designed to give students an alternative education to keep them involved in the school and community, said Lt. Cmdr. Bob Baker, the naval science instructor at the school since the program began in 1993 with only 32 cadets.
“We?ve been here though all the trials and tribulations,” Baker said. “We were surprised that we won but also very pleased. It just shows that our cadets? efforts are being recognized.”
The award, sponsored by the U.S. Navy League, is based on NJROTC area managers? evaluations of the overall performances of each unit.
Academic performance, community service and interunit competitions in academics, drill, color guard, athletics and air rifle are all considered.
“I definitely think it?s helped me set goals, get in shape and undoubtedly get into the Naval Academy,” said Phoenix Geimer, 18, who starts at the academy in July.
Michelle Austin, 17, who earned an NROTC scholarship to North Carolina State University, was shy in the beginning.
“It changed my life. I have so much more respect for people, and it?s showed me what kind of leader I can be,” she said. “I couldn?t stop crying, because it shows how much hard work we put into it this year.”
