Students perform more than 1,100 hours of community service
By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times
AFJROCT cadets took many academic trips during the 2015-2016 school year — one included a tour of the Dover Air Force Base. Credit: AFJROTC.
CALN – Not long ago, the Coatesville Area High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC program was on the chopping block due to budget cuts, but the community rallied together to fight for the program.
Saved by those efforts, the program continues to give back to the community and help shape young men and women across the school district.
Brian Chenger, principal of the 9/10 center at the high school introduced the Air Force JROTC program to the school board to present a year in review at the school board meeting last week.
The highly visible, widely recognized program has had a busy year filled with many accomplishments. JROTC has accumulated approximately 1,100 hours of community service at dozens of events, competed in four drill competitions for which they received 17 trophies with the honor guard team.
The AFJROTC program is very active in the Coatesville community and has marched in the Coatesville Christmas Parade as well as the VA Veteran’s Day parade. Credit: AFJROTC.
The program also took trips to tour the US Naval Academy and watched the army/navy basketball game, toured Dover Air Force base, and attended the air show at McGuire Air Force base.
Cadets were also physically active and completed the presidential fitness challenge, a 14 mile hike for the Bataan Death March Memorial, ran in the JROTC 100th Anniversary 5k and marched in the Coatesville Christmas parade and the VA Veterans Day parade.
JROTC also obtained a 30-foot by 60-foot American flag that was unfurled at each of the home football games. They now have a drone, a radio controlled airplane, and a flight simulator to add practical application to their aerospace lessons
“Our efforts did not go unrecognized, our unit was recently awarded the headquarters air force JROTC distinguished unit award.” Cadet Colonel Natalie Nieves said.
Some of the cadets’ 1,100 volunteer hours for this year has been spent at the Coatesville Community Garden, through the Chester County Food Bank. Credit: AFJROTC.
JROTC instructors have also been recognized for their outstanding efforts — The Philadelphia Eagles awarded Lieutenant Colonel Eric Turnbull with an All-Pro Teacher award and The Philadelphia Phillies awarded him with an All Star Teacher award.
Master Sergeant Christopher Sidolli was recognized by the National Liberty Museum with the Community Caring Award and by Barnes and Noble with the “My Favorite Teacher” award.
“Last year we finished with a total of 75 cadets in our program, this year we will be ending with a total of 85 cadets and as of now we have a total of 115 cadets signed up for the 2016-2017 academic school year.” Nieves said of the growing program.
Some of the cadets’ 1,100 volunteer hours for this year has been spent at the Coatesville Community Garden, through the Chester County Food Bank. Credit: AFJROTC.
Though it is the end of the school year, the cadets are still very busy and have plans throughout the summer months. They helped with the Special Olympics that took place at the high school campus last week, moved books at the Coatesville Library in preparation for the Strawberry Festival, and the color guard will be marching in the Kennett Square Memorial Day parade.
This summer, they will be touring the state capital in Harrisburg as a guest of state representative Harry Lewis Jr. (R-74), volunteer work with the Chester County food bank and preparing for basic orientation and the new school year.
“It has truly been a very busy year for the JROTC program.” Turnbull said as he took to the podium and addressed the board members.
