RVRHS Navy Junior ROTC Named Distinguished Unit

The Rancocas Valley Regional High School (RVRHS) Navy Junior ROTC Unit has been recognized by the U.S. Navy as a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors for the 2019-2020 school year. This is the 15th consecutive year that the unit has received recognition for exceptional achievement and the 11th time it has earned academic honors.

The RVRHS NJROTC has maintained a high level of performance over the years, driven by the dedication of the three Naval science instructors who lead the unit, and the hard work and strong character of RVRHS’ cadets. The unit is expected to have more than 185 cadets at the start of next academic year in September 2019, the highest in school history, making up about nine percent of the RVRHS student population.

Of the 55 NJROTC units in the Northeastern U.S., RVRHS’ unit has always been among the top 10 programs for overall performance. The Navy chose the RVRHS NJROTC as a Distinguished Unity with Academic Honors based upon the RVRHS cadets’ completion of 4,485 community service hours and 1,517 school support hours. In addition, RVRHS’ cadets finished in the top one-third of the Navy’s National Academic Exam, and they visited U.S. Navy and Coast Guard bases and ships, New York City Veterans Day events and the White House. They also met with U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, during the time he held office in New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district, to discuss civics and current events.

More than 50 percent of RVRHS’ cadets are on the high school’s honor roll, and nine are in the National Honor Society. The unit participates in local parades and also presents the colors at home baseball games for the Philadelphia Phillies. Many cadets also participate in extracurricular activities, including boys/girls wrestling, football, baseball, field hockey, robotics, theatre, band, cross country, dance and more.

“Our cadets represent all aspects of the RVRHS student body and our communities. All cadets accept and work with each other and learn teamwork through our activities,” said Lcdr Bert DeJong, senior Naval science instructor (Retired, U.S. Coast Guard). He added, “Our success in terms of our recognitions, our reputation and our growing participation is a testament not only to the dedication of our instructors and cadets, but also to the unwavering support every other person in the RVRHS community has given us, including our Board of Education members, our administrators, our students and staff.”

The RVRHS Board and administration have long viewed the JROTC as an essential part of the school's curriculum, and the program is incorporated into the Vision 2020 strategic plan. Through the program, cadets become informed and responsible citizens; develop good citizenship, leadership and management skills; and have respect for our democratic society.

Cadets completed service throughout RVRHS’ five sending districts for individual, community, environmental and school support. This past academic year, four cadets attended Boys State & Girls State, three attended Valley Forge Spirit of America and eight earned recognition as Good Citizens by the Union League of Philadelphia. Cadet Daniel Gribben received a $40,000 scholarship (four years at $10,000 a year) from the Union League of Philadelphia.

Additional awards were presented to cadets by the U.S. Navy League, Scottish Rite Americanos, VFW2692, Am Legion 509, Am Vets 79, Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of World Wars, Navy's Decatur medal, Retired Officers Association, and Daughters & Sons of the American Revolution.

The cadets pursuing college Navy ROTC programs are Cadet Eamonn Jones, who will attend Villanova University, and Cadet Daniel Gribben, who will attend Norwich University. Cadet Alexia Goodwin will participate in Army ROTC at Rowan University. They each earned Navy or Army commissions upon graduation.