3 Temecula Students Share Breakfast With Secretary Of The Navy

TEMECULA, CA — Three Chaparral High School students who are part of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps experienced something most never will: They met the Secretary of the Navy on Monday.

It was more than just a handshake. They had breakfast with him, shared words — and even exchanged challenge coins.

Arranged through their Chaparral Senior Naval Science Teacher William Lauper, who is a retired U.S. Navy commander, the three students were invited to a Monday breakfast meeting of the San Diego Military Advisory Council that featured Secretary Carlos Del Toro and other senior officials.

"Pretty much everyone in town was there," Lauper explained of the high-ranking naval leaders who attended the meeting.

Del Toro was in San Diego for Saturday's christening of the USNS Harvey Milk, and to reportedly visit other Navy vessels docked in San Diego.

NJROTC Cadet Gabrielle Thomas was among the three Chaparral Pumas at Monday's breakfast. She recalled her introduction to Del Toro.

"I've never met someone so powerful," the freshman said, noting that she would like to become a senior naval officer and plans to study medicine.

NJROTC Cadet Aaron Matheson said the who's who of high-ranking naval leaders was impressive and all were very welcoming — "almost everyone I met had an amazing story to tell."

The sophomore is considering joining the military after he finishes college.

NJROTC Cadet Kendall Hong got a chance to speak to officials about her plans to become an optometrist. The junior was offered advice about her career path.

"It got me thinking," she said.

"He took the time to talk to each of them," Lauper said of Del Toro. "One of the cadets gave him a challenge coin. In return, the secretary gave each of them one of his coins."

The Navy tokens are typically handed out in recognition of special achievement.

The breakfast meeting was a rare opportunity for the students, and it wasn't easy for Lauper to choose who could go. He is a member of the San Diego Military Advisory Council and was allowed to only bring three students. There are 120 NJROTC students in his program.

"I chose the three based on their attitude and leadership," he explained. "It's such an important opportunity."

The council meetings often feature senior military officials, and well-known figures from academia, the private sector and government, Lauper explained.

The NJROTC is a "citizenship development program," he continued. "What better way to learn than meeting with respected leaders?"

Following the early morning breakfast, Lauper arranged a tour of the Naval Base San Diego for the cadets.

Lauper is in his first year at Chaparral. Previously, he spent eight years as an NJROTC teacher spanning Troy High School in Fullerton and Martin Luther King High School in Riverside. He served 20 years in the Navy.

The busy teacher provided a long list of NJROTC activities underway and planned for his Chaparral cadets. His weekends are booked. Even his side gigs involve the Navy, including serving as region president of the Navy League.

"Once a sailor, always sailor" obviously holds true for the NJROTC commander.