Central High School is full of tradition and honor, one of Central’s oldest traditions is the JROTC program carrying pride throughout the school. JROTC stands for the Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps which is a military-regulated high school program, whose purpose is to educate high school students in leadership roles while making them aware of the benefits of citizenship.

The JROTC program has many different moving parts, the Academic team being one. This team through the JROTC program is sponsored by Sergeant Major David Spencer. Central High’s JROTC Academic Team recently qualified for National Tournament in Washington, D.C. The team was awarded second place in the county which qualifies the team for nationals. In order to be able to compete in Washington, D.C., the team can only have one of the four original four team members. The rules require that only 9-11 grade Army JROTC cadets can compete

“I am confident that Central has some very intelligent cadets that will compete at a high level,” said Spencer, who was also very pleased with how the team has performed thus far.

Each JROTC unit is allowed one academic team consisting of four cadets. Two alternates may be named and may participate in the online portion of the completion but are not allowed to attend. Cadets who participate will test their knowledge and leadership skills by competing in a series of rounders against other teams.

“In my 4 years here we had not been able to qualify and I am not sure when the last time Central’s JROTC academic team had qualified but it had been a few years so I am excited knowing we had improved and brought life back to the team,” explained Jack Graham.