Wheeling Navy Junior Cadets Qualify For National Championships

WHEELING, IL — The cadets of the Navy‌ ‌Junior‌ ‌Reserves‌ ‌Officer‌ ‌Training‌ ‌Corps‌ ‌of‌ ‌District‌ ‌214‌ (Wheeling High School) have done their part, but now they need a little help. For the first time in 20 years, the NJROTC Drill Team won at the Area 3 Championship Competition.

This qualifies them to compete at the US Navy National Champions in Pensacola, Florida on April 1-2. The challenge is that the trip will cost $25,0o0 and the money must be raised by March 20.

"We are asking all of the military organizations in the D214 area, and many local businesses, for donations so that we can bring the 30 Drill team members and chaperones to the National Championships," said Wayne Beyer, a retired Marine and senior Naval Science instructor, in a letter shared with Patch.

Beyer said the cadets will spend four days competing against the best schools in the country in physical fitness, academic and drill competitions.

Just weeks before the Area 3 championship competition, the group lost a fellow cadet, according to Beyer. Though young and inexperienced, the team was able to rally and unseat a Zion Benton team that was a 17-year defending championship squad.

"I knew our kids were good, and with a good strategy I hoped we might place fifth or even fourth, but first place really was shocking," Beyer said in the letter. "Having devoted their efforts to their fallen fellow cadet, and overcoming the most overwhelming odds, winning was quite an emotional event."

Those interested in sponsoring a cadet with a donation between $400-$500, can make out a check to Wheeling High School NJROTC, Wheeling NJROTC, 900 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling, IL 60090, according to Greg Padovani, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights.