RVRHS Navy Junior ROTC Awarded Academic Honors

Mt. Holly, N.J. - The Rancocas Valley Regional High School Navy Junior ROTC Unit, with 180 cadets and three Naval Science instructors, has been recognized for exceptional achievement by the U.S. Navy as a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors for the 2018-2019 school year. This is the twelfth consecutive year the unit has received this honor.

This JROTC program is a citizenship and leadership program founded in 1973 by LCDR Joe Parks, USN (Retired), and has been recognized by the Navy every year for maintaining a high standard of performance.

This year, three- or four-year scholarships have been awarded to the following cadets:
Frank Mateja, US Navy, Virginia Military Institute, $180,000
Hunter Kramer, US Army, University of Tampa, $82,108 + room & board
Brandt Fordham, US Army, IUP, $105,466

Additional cadets who will enroll in collegiate ROTC programs are Christopher D’Silva, John Soto and Deidre Valley. They will earn commissions upon graduation. Out of the 45 Naval Science seniors at RVRHS, four have earned a combined $381,324 in scholarship funds. All seniors are graduating with plans to attend four- or two-year colleges or enlist in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. And, 66 percent of all RVRHS cadets earned a 3.0 GPA or better. Twelve cadets lettered and played in varsity sports, more at the JV and freshmen levels.

During the past year, the unit completed 2,937 community service hours and 2,856 school support hours. Cadets completed service throughout their high school's five sending districts for individual, community, environmental, and school support.

Four cadets attended the Navy’s Leadership Academy & Sail Training course (two weeks at Naval Base, Newport, RI), six cadets attended Boys State & Girls State, three attended Valley Forge Spirit of America, and eight were recognized as good citizens by the Union League of Philadelphia. Additional awards were presented to cadets by the VFW2692, Am Legion 509, Am Vets 79, Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of World Wars, Navy’s Decatur medal, Retired Officers Association, Daughters & Sons of the American Revolution, and several more.

The NJROTC drill team participated in three drill competitions and hosted a home competition. This event had 14 schools with 350 cadets participating in 11 different events, including drill, Color Guard, academics, physical fitness and air rifle. The unit also hosted the U.S. Navy Area Four Orienteering Championship meet. This timed event involved land navigation with 25 way points. Fifteen NJROTC units from the tri-state area and 450+ cadets participated.

Throughout the school year, the cadets participated in educational trips to Lockheed-Martin, NYC Veterans Day Parade, Army-Navy Game, Battleship New Jersey (BB-62), Seaport Museum at Penns Landing, Wreaths Across America, and a sea cruise aboard USCGC Tate (WLM-560). They also presented the colors at a Phillies baseball game.

The Rancocas Valley Regional High School's Navy JROTC is held in high esteem by the school’s Board of Education, Superintendent and Principal. They see it as an essential part of the school’s Curriculum of Studies and as vital to its Vision 2020 strategic plan. The unit and its instructors have maintained the highest integrity and fulfilled the purpose and objectives of promoting citizenship and patriotism. Through the program, cadets become informed and responsible citizens, develop leadership and management skills, and have respect for our democratic society.