SAIPAN Southern High School’s Manta Ray Battalion hosted the annual JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge, also known as JCLC, for the first time ever since the pandemic outbreak.
Our neighboring schools and islands gathered in order to conduct this event successfully. This is an opportunity for the cadets to demonstrate and enhance their leadership skills, discipline, team work, and self-confidence.
The duration of the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge Encampment was from April 7 to 10, 2022, and it took place in Saipan Southern High School’s stage area.
Tents were set up in accordance with the schools that participated: Marianas High School, Rota High School, Tinian High School, Kagman High School.
On the first day of their encampment, all schools arrived at SSHS and the top 3 of each battalion were briefed by the SSHS leaders about what to expect and the overall schedule of the event. They used this day to set up their tents and form up the first ever brigade formation. In the evening, SSHS MRB hosted an entertainment program which included singing and games such as, Chopskittles and Musical Chairs.
On the second day of their encampment, the cadets had to wake up at 5 a.m. After they cleaned up, they departed SSHS and headed to the Carolinian utt in Garapan where training took place. They had a schedule planned out for this day but the adventure training activities were cut short as news of THS and RHS leaving were announced.
Before leaving the Carolinian utt, they conducted a Tapout Challenge with THS as the winner.
After all of the battalions gathered, they returned to SSHS to play games which included basketball and volleyball.
When dinner time was announced, KHS hosted entertainment night which included Singing, a Lip-Sync Battle, Bring Me, and Freestyle Dancing.
On their last day of encampment, the cadets cleaned up their tents and formed their last brigade formation before eating breakfast. During breakfast, all battalions bonded and took that time to get to know one another. After breakfast, all schools departed from Saipan Southern High School.
“What I like most about the JCLC Event was that we were able to become closer with other JROTC Schools and that it was a learning experience for cadets, they need to improve shower and hygiene time, overall I feel good for participating in the event as it is my last year in the program, I wished we were able to stay longer,” said the RHS command sergeant major.
“I really enjoyed the whole entertainment, the games, and the whole event. Not only were the games and performances fun to watch, they really brought the whole brigade together. It unified each battalion together creating a very significant bond between each other,” said C/CSM Chit Acollador from THS.
“Overall it was enjoyable! There were some parts where it could be exciting but it’s still an event I was glad I participated in. Building new relationships and the fun that everyone had certainly was the center point of the event. I’m glad I was able to participate in this event and hope it will be even better for the next few years to come.”
Although this event was cut short due to unforeseen circumstances, the cadets were able to participate in adventure training activities which were designed to develop and enhance their own leadership skills, discipline, teamwork, and self-confidence. They also got to know the other cadets from our neighboring islands.
