BMHS recognizes cadets who completed basic leadership training

Last Friday the Brien McMahon High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (BMHS NJROTC) conducted a recognition ceremony for 26 cadets who graduated Basic Leadership Training (BLT) at West Point.

Two cadets were recognized for superior performance: Cadet Luz Cruz and Cadet Evan Dunn. Two cadets attended a two-week Leadership Academy: Cadet Victor Castillo and Cadet Justin Muldoon. Castillo also received the Iron Man Award for physical fitness.

Cadets Crystal Jaboin, David Lora, Angel Ramirez and Elliott Folston volunteered as peer-leader Guides for BLT cadets.

Ms. Harrison, a Cadet Mom individually altered 26 sets of uniforms for BLT.

The ceremony also recognized the Bethel High School Navy JROTC Instructors, LCDR Mark Dwinells and Master Sergeant Joe Meehan, who planned and set up support at Camp Natural Bridge in West Point, N,Y,. A sister Navy JROTC program, Bethel High School NJROTC unit invited BMHS cadets to participate. The ceremony also highlighted the Norwalk community teamwork that helped make this great experience happen for the cadets. Kudos went out to the BMHS administration and staff:

"¢ Principal Koroshetz who continues to support this growing program

"¢ Ms. Amaker who as the leader of Guidance Dept had her team of counselors support the sourcing of interested students in our program.

"¢ Mrs. Knox for processing the requests, funding transfers, and coordinates the logistics.

"¢ Norwalk Board of Education and our Superintendent Dr. Marks for approving and supporting this event and the teamwork to make it happen.

"¢ Mayor Moccia and Senator Duff for their continued support and interest in the development of America's youth.

"¢ Lastly, most importantly the parents and guardians who supported their cadets and gave permission and funds for them to participate in this great event.

BMHS Navy JROTC program was established in 1993 as the first Navy JROTC program in Connecticut. BMHS Navy JROTC has conducted over 700 community service hours annually for the last three years. Navy JROTC is a high school program which emphasizes citizenship, community service, personal discipline and integrity combined with naval science related curriculum. The program offers four full-year electives with an emphasis on transition planning for college and job preparation, and the importance of national service. There are a variety of extracurricular activities such as drill competitions and orienteering including a four day BLT course and a two-week Leadership Academy / Sail Training in Newport, R.I. over the summer. Cadets receive the opportunity to receive free SAT and ACT online courses. BMHS NJROTC offers seasonal no-cost sailing and boating opportunities for the cadets on the unit's watercraft.

The Basic Leadership Training (BLT) took place at West Point Military Academy's Camp Natural Bridge facilities in New York from Sept. 23-26. BLT is a four-day individualized leadership experience provided by drill instructors / drill sergeants under the supervision of JROTC instructors. Each individual cadet was challenged to push themselves and to work as a team with cadets from other schools. The training events covered are physical fitness, inspections, drill, leadership reaction course, obstacle course and leadership.

The 26 BLT Graduates are:

1. Zachary Bayles

2. Chris Blasius

3. Luz Cruz

4. Romain Dolor

5. Evan Dunn

6. Wilmer Elquera

7. Sabrina Echeverry

8. Joshua Gaines

9. Kayandra Greenwood

10. Fernando Gutierrez

11. Pablo Hincapie