From strangers to teammates: Area cadets unite at JROTC camp

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Army JROTC cadets from four area high schools joined forces for five days of leadership training and competition at the Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge.

The schools included Army JROTC cadets from Benton, Central, Lafayette and Savannah high schools. On the first day of camp, the cadre organized the four groups into mixed squads rather than separating them by school.

Lafayette High School, Senior Loucas Chrisman said, going to JCLC is a lot of fun and a great experience. This year was the last year he could go.

"I went because it was my last year I could go," he said. "You could only go through your freshman to junior year because seniors aren't able to go. I mainly went to help other people because, from Lafayette, it was me and one other person. We were the senior people that went. We have already been there, so mainly went there to help out other people that was brand new."

During the camp, the cadets took part in demanding physical and mental challenges. Throughout the week, cadets completed water confidence events, rappelling, obstacle courses, leadership exercises and team-building activities.

Upcoming Benton junior, Alexandria Penland personal favorite challenge during the week was water operations.

“We would practice, sorta like causality rescue. We would go out in pairs in a canoe and one of us would simulate the canoe flooding," she said. "We would practice what it would be like to rescue somebody if that person on the boat were to be in the water, or how to drain that boat."

Incoming Central sophomore Auxavier Barr said even though not everyone in the squad knew each other, they quickly bonded and got along well. 

"We laughed, we had a good time, and it was good to see people from different schools who've never met each other. We're coming together and figuring out each other's strengths and weaknesses," he said.

David L. Jones saw the student grow both mentally and physically during camp, but most importantly, they built relationships.

"We had cadets from Benton, Lafayette, Central and Savannah. All integrated in one platoon, one team and one family," he said. "I saw relationships get built there, friendships that will go into next school year. That was honestly the most beautiful thing that could have happened over this camp."

Two cadets received awards at the JCLC camp. Cadet Chloe English from Central High School received the Platoon Leadership Award. Cadet Stormy Miller-Drag from Benton earned the prestigious Company Leadership Award.

Jones said the two cadets receiving awards at the camp were a moment that stood out to him.

"That we had a cadet from Benton High School show that she was the very best leader among multiple schools," he said. "There were over 50 schools from all around Missouri and a cadet from Benton High School showed what right looks like, and that was one of the coolest things that could've happened."

All of the cadre took pride in watching the cadets from four schools unite as one cohesive platoon.