Politicians did something right by dropping PE bill
Recently a bill died in committee that would have stopped giving students in the marching band and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) physical education credit for their activities.
Anybody who has witnessed our band work out during Hell Week or during the season at their night practices knows how wrong that legislation would have been.
The football players often comment during camp that the Royal Alliance has the real hell week. They not only learn to march and form precision patterns while marching, they do so while carrying and playing instruments, some as big as a tuba.
Anybody who does not think that it takes athleticism, skill and endurance to precision march while playing outstanding music has to be a politician. If they would have spent a week marching with the Royal Alliance, they would never have considered the legislation.
Ramona High School NJROTC cadets recently proved that they deserve PE credit when they competed at Troy High School at the Orange County Athletic Meet. The Bulldog NJROTC Unit competed against 22 different high schools from San Diego, Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties in 16 events.
The cadets earned a third place team trophy and nine trophies overall in their first competition of the year.
Cadets Darien Hightower, James Dicataldo, Jose Pilar, Robert Chisholm, Trenton Rogers, Taylor Andrews, Patrick Danby, Eli Jauregui, Levi Lee, Adi Gutierrez, Alexis Nagem, Liz Huffman, Mackenzie Taliafero, Kelsey Perry, Jessica Box, Brandi Hietala, Krysta Huffman, Jackson Rath and Tanner Riches took first place in the 16-by-100-yard relay and the 8-by-220-yard relay. Any time a group can combine teamwork, speed and endurance and beat 22 other high schools in said events, physical education is involved.
Five first year cadets took second place in the Board Walk. The Board Walk is not a card on a Monopoly board in this case. Five cadets must balance themselves and walk on 2X4s through an obstacle course. The event is timed and the lowest time wins.
The five novice cadets who won the second place trophy were: Shea Loska, Anthony Walsh, Matthew Hinman, Alexis Nagam and Lauren Davidson. Ooh rah!
Levi Lee, Stephen Brumfield, Patrick Danby, Alec Richardson, Kelsey Perry, Bre Stotts and Cadet Commanding Officer Adi Gutierrez won a second place trophy in the seven-person boat race through an obstacle course.
The cadets also won trophies in the Izzy Dizzy, wheelbarrow race and pushup competition.
Both the band and NJROTC have academic classes during the school day and then work after school and on the weekends on physical activities. Both groups put a premium on teamwork. That word team says it all.
The band has one more halftime show. Be at RHS on Parent Night. You will be entertained. NJROTC recently installed 30 new cadets in the unit and presented a flag to Ramona’s Veterans of Foreign Wars for the VFW’s support of the youth of America and the youth or Ramona. Adjutant John “Pontiac” Hine accepted the flag and delivered a patriotic speech.
Band members combine art and physical activity in their endeavors. NJROTC combines service and physical activity in its endeavors. Both deserve more than physical education credit. Both deserve more that a pat on the back. They represent what is right in public education.
The entire community is entertained by our band’s concerts and halftime shows. NJROTC also entertains the community. This Saturday night Honor Guard will conduct a ceremony In Memory of Ramona’s Fallen Service Members.
The ceremony will combine patriotism, history, music and community service. Historical events and traditions such as The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Medal of Honor, The Sullivan Brothers, the flag raising at Iwo Jima, The Code of Conduct, The Garden of Stone and others will be explained and reenacted.
Lt. David Kingsley will make a World War II presentation. Mike Sanchez a former three-sport athlete and coach at RHS, a rodeo performer, and a Purple Heart recipient and Iraqi Freedom veteran will be the guest of honor. Tears will be shed and refreshments will be served.
The ceremony will begin at 1800 (military speak for 6 p.m.) and end by 9 (2100).
The Royal Alliance and NJROTC deserve more than PE credit. They have earned the respect of our community and their opponents in competition.