Writer – Maj (retired) Bryan Williams, Senior Army Instructor, Mariner High School, Cape Coral FL
Photographer –
This year’s Army JROTC essay theme was ‘live your life with integrity, lose with dignity, and win with humility.’ Cadets lived this out in full view at the JROTC Air Rifle National Championship during a special ceremony orchestrated in part by Cadets, as Mariner High School passed along the Army Service Championship trophy to newly crowned champions, North Brunswick High School, NC.
The ceremony was officiated by recently retired Sergeant First Class George Norton, who is one of the most familiar faces at the historic scene of the U.S.’s most prestigious youth air rifle National competition, outside of the Junior Olympics. Sergeant Norton was not only an international and American record holding shooter, as well as career member of the elite U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, he has been the special awards presenter at JROTC Nationals for several years. It was fitting that Sergeant Norton stepped in with the absence of Cadet Command to oversee a special, Army JROTC ceremony.
Sergeant Norton shared with cadets ‘I am also a product of JROTC. This program, and one particular instructor, shaped my decision making, gave me a strong set of values, and put me on the path to become the man, leader, husband, and father that I have become. Many of you do not see it now, but you possess life skills and values already as young people that many people take years to develop. This sport is a huge part of that as you’ve learned how to be disciplined in your life, have intense amounts of focus and concentration, to build processes, and the amount of dedication and work ethic required to achieve excellence.’
Sergeant Norton then presented the second place Army Service Championship trophy to Webb City, Missouri. Webb City was a top two recipient for the second consecutive year, which is an impressive achievement! Sergeant Norton then invited Mariner High School, the 2024 Army Service Champion and JROTC National Champion to come forward to begin the 1st place trophy presentation. Cadet Tyler Dennard, stepped forward with the trophy cup and delivered congratulatory remarks to the newly crowned champions, North Brunswick team captain, Cadet Valeria Alvarado, representing her team. Cadet Dennard remarked ‘How proud my entire team is of North Brunswick. We have competed shoulder to shoulder with you for the past 3 years and while adversaries on the shooting range, we have become friends with each of you. I cannot think of a team with better character and values to relinquish this special trophy to. We know you will represent Army JROTC well and make all of us proud. Congratulations again for your incredible accomplishment.’
Cadet Dennard then relinquished the trophy, handing it over to Sergeant Norton (much like a change of command exchange of the guidon). ‘Losing with dignity.’
Sergeant Norton offered congratulatory remarks to North Brunswick and presented the prestigious cup to Cadet Alvarado, who graciously accepted the cup and thanked both Sergeant Norton and Cadet Dennard. After some photos, North Brunswick, Webb City and Mariner all exchanged hand shakes and congratulatory remarks with one another for a short while. It was quite an incredible display of camaraderie, sportsmanship and ‘winning with humility’, which is a hallmark of North Brunswick, Mariner, and Webb City’s programs.
While it was a short and simple ceremony, this special event showcased that JROTC continues to be America’s premier character and leadership education program, providing young people essential life skills and values. In this case, living a life of integrity, losing with dignity and winning with humility.