Written by: COL (Ret.) Jimmy E. Hall
The Monarch High School JROTC Program attended Fleet Week on Monday, April 24. Fleet Week is a United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard tradition in which active military ships recently deployed in overseas operations dock in a variety of major cities for one week. Once the ships dock, the crews can enter the city and visit its tourist attractions as well as invite the local community to visit and tour the ships.
The knight battalion was one of the 30 JROTC battalions in attendance. This year’s event focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Three of the 30 JROTC programs were selected to compete in a Shark Tank like presentation for cash prizes. The cadets of the Knight Battalion took 1st Place in the Shark Tank presentation, winning a $2,500 cash prize. The objective was to create a technological advancement that is not currently in the military inventory. They had to write a 500-word essay and get selected to present their product to the Director of JROTC. The Director selected the top three to present at Fleet Week and we were one of three. Our cadets presented the use of 3D printing to create organs and bones to help save service members’ lives. They also presented some hearts and a knee they had printed to show as an example of the replacement parts they could make. Our cadets were awesome! See picture below.
Top Photo Caption: Pictured above from left to right Ms. Shea Ciriago, President and CEO of Broward Education Foundation, COL Jimmy Hall, Senior Army Instructor, Monarch HS, Cadets Adrian Nunez, Matthew Shay, Maxwell Nazarian, and Iremar Nogueira
