Stony Point High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) has earned its third “Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors”. The group was also ranked the number one Navy JROTC within Area 18 for the first time in 24 years.
“Stony Point NJROTC won more trophies from the competitions we attended this year than any other year in our history,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Ishmael Castillo. “The results have been remarkable! The team continues to improve as a competitive unit in Area 18.”
Additionally, this year Stony Point’s Marksmanship Team advanced to the Navy Nationals Marksmanship Championship, and the Drill Team and Cyber Team advanced to state, with the latter qualifying as a state semi-finalist.
Senior member, Riyan Patel said it’s rewarding to see their hard work pay off.
“We hold pride in how far we’ve come over the years. Before Master Guns came in, this JROTC was known as a hang-out area with a lot of people who weren’t really instilling the values JROTC now instills,” said Riyan. “I think our recent achievements show how far we’ve come as a team.”
The team is comprised of students from Cedar Ridge and Stony Point high schools and offers marksmanship, drill, cyber, orienteering, drones, academics, physical fitness, and community service.
As a Distinguished Unit with Honors, Stony Point High School’s Navy JROTC now has the ability to nominate nine cadets to attend the Nation’s Military Academies.
“It helps a lot of kids out, whether they want to be in college or be in the Navy, Marine Corps, whatever… It helps give them a little push and go into whatever they want,” said Riyan.
