ON Saturday, March 18, 2023 Saipan Southern High School’s Manta Ray Battalion JROTC cadets were up bright and early at 7 a.m. to take part in their first community service cleanup of SY 2022-2023 second semester.
The battalion’s cadets were split into two groups. Group #1, which included HQ and Alpha Company, started at the Koblerville Mobile gas station. Group #2, which included Bravo, Charlie, and Delta Company, started at the Pavilion Playground at Tottotville.
Before the cleanup started, the gloves and trash bags were distributed to the cadets. After completion of their community service, the Manta Ray Battalion regrouped at the midpoint across the street from P & A Laundry.
“I’m very happy that a lot of cadets showed up for the cleanup because it was a pretty big project, a long road, and a lot of trash. I’m happy that the cadets are motivated enough to wake up early and stroll down to clean up. It was very nice seeing everyone having fun and doing their best,” says Battalion C/CSM Villagomez, Anthony.
“The cleanup was very nice and all the cadets sacrificed their time to wake up early, go off and clean the community,” says C/2LT Vicente, Riana.
For safety purposes, the SSHS’ instructors, CSM (Ret.) Richard Basa and SFC (Ret.) Deyna Sunderland, were positioned in their vehicles in the middle lane with signs instructing vehicles to slow down and be aware of the cadets cleaning on the shoulders of the road.
In total, there were 63 cadets and two instructors during the cleanup. The event was successful and will benefit the entire community by creating a cleaner and healthier environment to live in.
