NJROTC finishes third in state

Ramona High School NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) drill team finished third out of 17 teams in the Area 11 State drill competition at Santa Ana High School on Saturday Feb. 20. This is the highest finish in school history at the state meet.

There are 57 schools in Area 11, but only 17 schools qualified for this prestigious event.

Ramona’s physical fitness team comprised of sit-ups, push-ups and two relay events were state champions in overall physical fitness at the competition.

Members of the physical fitness team were Taylor Andrews, Robert Chisholm, Patrick Danby, James Dicataldo, Darien Hightower, Eli Jauregui, Levi, Lee, Alexis Baggett, Jessica Box, Adi Gutierrez, Krysta Huffman, Liz Huffman, Lexi Nagem, Brandi Hietala, Jammi Whitney, Kelsey Perry, William Wenberg, Trenton Rogers, Hector Herrera, Jackson Rath, Jose Pilar, Alec Richardson, Tanner Riches, Paul Loska, Jessica O’Conner and Bre Stotts.

Individual medals were presented to the following cadets: Alec Richardson, third out of 128 in sit-ups—male; Jackson Rath, sixth out of 128 in sit-ups—male; Jammi Whitney, sixth out of 128 in sit-ups—female, and Kelsey Perry, first overall female in sit-ups and third overall out of 256 contestants with a sit-up total of 297 in six minutes.

In push-ups, Eli Jauregui was sixth out of 128—male, and Jose Pilar was 10 out of 128—male. Female overall winner in push-ups was Adi Gutierrez, followed by Jammi Whitney in third out of 128 female competitors.

The unit’s commanding officer is Cadet Adi Gutierrez, the executive officer is James Dicataldo, the operations officer is Kelsey Perry and the command master chief is Stephen Brumfield.