Daniel Boone students now have to opportunity to join the Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps – a military regulated high school program.
The JROTC Club was formed at the high school in March. Commander Shannon W. Helzer, an Army and Navy Veteran and current Physics teacher, is leading the Unit alongside Sargent Michael Nauman of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Cadet Captain Wesley Ehrlich, and Cadet First Sargent William Milman.
With the program offering an ongoing open enrollment, Helzer says up to five students are signing up each week. There are about 25-30 students signed up currently; he hopes that number will be doubled by next year.
A $2,100 donation from the American Legion, Birdsboro Post 626 helped to purchase the Cadets’ uniforms. Also, Priority One Military Surplus of Hamburg offered a significant discount on the Cadet’s uniform items.
Helzer explained that even before the donation was made, the club was determining the interest level at the school. “The kids are seeing this is real,” he said, adding how the addition of uniforms really helped to kick off the program.
The program emphasizes on leadership, self-confidence, discipline, and teamwork.
On Wednesday, April 27, the unit saw it’s first Pass and Review. Families and friends were welcomed to gather and support their young cadets.
As a part of the Pass and Review – a uniform inspection, a promotion ceremony, a rifle drill demonstration, and a marching drill demonstration were held.
The ceremonial event concluded with a physical fitness/team building demonstration. In two teams, Cadets raced against each other to do push-ups, lunges, and jumping jacks. Team members cheered each other on as Helzer pushed them to do their best.
Helzer welcomes partners to show support of the program through the Daniel Boone Blazer Foundation.
