Sussex Tech

JROTC Drill Team Wins State Championship

The Sussex Tech Raven Battalion JROTC won the Delaware State Championship in Unarmed Exhibition Drill competition at the Eagle Classic on Saturday, April 20. Held at the Dover Air Force Base, eight Delaware schools competed in six drill categories – Inspection, Color Guard, Unarmed Regulation, Armed Regulation, Unarmed Exhibition, and Armed Exhibition. The Raven Battalion also placed third in the Armed Exhibition Drills.

Led by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Kaycee Bean, the Unarmed Exhibition cadets went through a series of choreographed steps and turns in precision movement. Members of the championship team are cadets Emma Rider, Branagh James, Alex Hassman, Joseph Hartman, Colin Hearn, Robert Christensen, Samantha Hawkins and Spencer Turner.

JROTC Cadet Receives Highest Rank

JROTC Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Dylan Varrato was promoted to Cadet Colonel on March 19. Dylan is the Battalion Commander of the Raven Battalion. He has received an appointment to West Point.

Dylan received his new rank bars from his father, Tony Varrato, and JROTC instructor Major Ben Jester.

Naval Skydivers Impress JROTC Cadets at Raider Challenge

The Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion hosted its annual Invitational Raider Challenge on Saturday, March 17, at which 10 teams participated. The opening ceremonies were highlighted by a sky diving demonstration by the U.S. Naval Academy Skydiving Demo Team.

Naval Midshipman Second Class Brian Holloway of Vermont brought down the American flag and JROTC flag while past Sussex Tech JROTC Battalion Commander Maddie Crimmins sang the National Anthem. Then Team Captain Midshipman First Class Dan Murphy of Wisconsin and Midshipman Third Class Ryan Hill of New York performed a series of coordinated aerial maneuvers. Team members who served as ground crew for the demonstration were Midshipman First Class Zach Tatum of Kentucky and Midshipman First Class Sam Prescott of California. Volunteering the use of his plane and piloting it was U.S. Army Major (Ret.) Mike Davidson of Laurel who is a former member of the U.S. Army Parachute team, The Golden Knights.

Schools represented at the Challenge were: from Delaware - Cape Henlopen H.S., Sussex Central H.S., and two teams from Dover H.S.; from Maryland – McDonough H.S., Forestville Military Academy, and two teams from Thomas Stone H.S.; and from New Jersey – Delsea Regional H.S. Sussex Central won the overall title.

Competition was held in physical fitness, navigation, first aid, one-rope bridge, and the one-mile run. The entire event was planned and run by the Sussex Tech cadets. The Sussex Tech Raider Teams do not compete at their hosted competition. They believe they have a home turf advantage and there is no honor in winning with an advantage. Instead, the Raven Battalion cadets dedicate themselves to making sure everything is run smoothly and their guests are felt welcomed.

Sky Divers Featured At JROTC Raider Challenge

The Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion will host its annual Invitational Raider Challenge on Saturday, March 16. Activities will take place on the cross country field across the road from the school.

The Challenge will begin with a special sky diving exhibition featuring the U.S. Naval Academy’s Sky Diving Team. Weather permitting, the jump will be made between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Sky divers will bring down with them the American flag and the Delaware flag. Team members will remain at the Challenge to help judge the events.

Competition at the Challenge will be held in physical fitness, navigation, first aid, one-rope bridge, and the one-mile run. Several schools have accepted the invitation to participate.

The public is invited to attend and enjoy watching the sky diving (weather permitting) and watch the JROTC cadet competition which will take place rain or shine.

JROTC Cadets Shine at Dover Raider Challenge

The Sussex Tech Army JROTC Raider teams competed in the Dover Air Force JROTC Invitational Raider Challenge on Saturday, March 9, held at Killens Pond State Park. Raiders are physically oriented teams specializing in orienteering, running, pushups, sit-ups, first aid, one rope bridge, and the one-mile run. The Raider teams strive to remain physically fit throughout the year. The events not only require physical endurance, but problem solving, and quick thinking.

At the Dover Challenge both Sussex Tech’s Alpha team and Bravo team had outstanding performances. The Raider Alpha team won first in physical fitness, one rope bridge, land navigation, and first aid, and second overall. The Bravo team won second in one rope bridge and third in first aid and overall.

Teams at the competition were Sussex Central, William Penn, Smyrna, Wicomico, Sussex Tech A and B teams, and Dover’s B team.

JROTC Cadets Enjoy Annual Winter Ball

The Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion hosted its annual Winter Military Ball at the Georgetown Cheer Center on Saturday, January 12. The cadets followed military protocol throughout the evening, beginning with a formal receiving line so that the Battalion Commander and his Executive Officer could welcome guests, displaying of the colors, proposing toasts to the colors, the Army, and the POW and MIA soldiers, and ceremoniously cutting the cake with a saber by the Battalion Commander. Fun dancing completed the evening.

Special guest at the Ball was First Class Midshipman Daniel Murphy, a senior cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and a member of the Academy’s skydiving team.

Raven Battalion Wins Exhibition Drill Competition

The Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion made an exceptional showing at the Dover Invitational Drill Competition on Saturday, Dec. 8. The Battalion’s Armed Exhibition Team, led by C/1SG Zach Bishop, and the Unarmed Exhibition Team, led by C/1LT Kaycee Bean, both came home with first place trophies. The Battalion also earned the third place distinction for over-all performance.

Sussex Tech Enjoys The Holiday Festivities

The Sussex Tech Raven Nation Marching Band and JROTC Raven Battalion marched in several holiday parades this year, including Milton, Seaford, Georgetown, and Harrington.

Senior Visits Air Force Academy

Sussex Technical High School senior Kyle Breckner was among a select group of high school students to visit the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to see firsthand what makes the Academy exceptional. Kyle completed the Academy’s three-day Diversity Visitation Program in September. He was one of only 60 students nationwide chosen to participate. The Academy actively identifies and recruits candidates with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and talents.

Kyle is studying Legal Support Services and Criminal Justice Technologies. He is also a cadet in Sussex Tech’s JROTC program.

JROTC Cadets Continue to Support CHEER Senior Services

For the 9th year, Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion supported CHEER Senior Services by participating in the non-profit’s CHEER Walk in Rehoboth. The cadets once again forfeited an in-service day off from school on October 5 to undertake the walk on the Rehoboth Boardwalk.

This year’s total contributions solicited by the cadets equalled $5,828. Since 2003, CHEER has benefitted from the JROTC’s participation by $49,043.

Top money-raiser this year was freshman Tristen Townsend who collected $575. Runner-up was Cadet Carly Precht who recorded $215.

The Raven Battalion also received awards from CHEER for Most Walkers (a record-setting 91 cadets) and Greatest Group Donation.

After the walk, the cadets were treated to a pizza lunch, courtesy of Nicola’s Pizza.

Sussex Tech JROTC Cadets Shine at Camp Vigilance

Sussex Tech Raven Battalion JROTC cadets participated in the Summer Leadership Camp – Camp Vigilance 2012 – at Bethany Beach National Guard Training Station from Sunday, June 17 through Friday, June 22.

Students stayed in the base barracks and were given endless opportunities to learn and build their leadership skills. They took numerous trips during the six days to places that included the local Coast Guard Station and Cape Henlopen State Park where they received instruction in drown-proofing and water safety plus marksmanship training. The cadets were transported to Gunpowder Falls, an Army National Guard training site north of Baltimore, Md., where they were directed through a leadership reaction course, an obstacle course, and rappelling training. They were also taken to Stockley Center, near Georgetown, for the land navigation competition.

The week was highlighted by a graduation ceremony on Friday. Special guest speaker was Brigadier General Carol Timmons. She then assisted U.S. Army (Ret.) Colonel Joseph Arata, officer-in-charge of Camp Vigilance, with the presenting of awards to cadets for their outstanding performance during the week. All cadets received a participation ribbon.

Sussex Tech’s cadets received several distinctive honors. At the beginning of the camp, C/2LT Zachary Bishop was chosen to be the S-1 for the camp battalion. It was his responsibility to prepare and maintain all cadet records for the week. C/SFC Andrew Hartman was named as Bishop’s S-1 assistant.

C/2LT Kaycee Bean and C/SFC John Zoch were members on the winning land navigation squad. C/MSGT Ivy Colburn and C/SFC Anthony Huling were members on the winning platoon drill team.

Sussex Tech was also proud to have two of its cadets receive the highest honors for the week. C/2LT Kaycee Bean received the award for Best Squad Drill Commander and received the distinction of First Honor Cadet for the Camp. C/SFC Hope Riale received the Marksmanship award.

Other Sussex Tech cadets who participated at Camp Vigilance were Graciela Garcia, Colin Hearn, and Matt Zwiebel. Instructors Major Ben Jester and Sergeant Louis Melendez accompanied them.

Seventy-five JROTC cadets from different schools across the region participated in the camp. In addition to Sussex Tech, cadets came from Appoquinimink, Cape Henlopen, Sussex Central, Mount Pleasant and Wicomico high schools.

JROTC Cadets Complete Officers Academy

The Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion held Officers Candidate Academy from June 5-7. Cadets received instruction in the responsibilities and duties of their new rank so that they know what is expected of them when school begins next year. Parents and friends were invited to the promotion ceremonies on June 7 at the conclusion of the academy.

Special awards were presented to:

• Emily Bernier – Noncommissioned Physical Fitness, Female
• Jerry Legates – Noncommissioned Physical Fitness, Male
• Andrew Hartman – Commissioned Physical Fitness, Male
• Ivy Colburn – Commissioned Physical Fitness, Female
• Michael Ross – Noncommissioned Cadre’s Choice
• Jackie Arpie – Commissioned Cadre’s Choice.

Commissioned officers were promoted as follows:

• Command Sergeant Major – Tyler Wood
• Second Lieutenant – Kaycee Bean and Zach Bishop
• Master Sergeant – Ivy Colburn
• Sergeant First Class – Jackie Arpie, Zachary Bell, Nick Bishop, Ryan Bossard, Trevonte Cephas, Robert Christensen, Zach Faulkner, Catherine Getz, Andrew Hartman, Colin Hearn, Kyle Hendricks, Anthony Huling, Cameron Jackson, Nick Joseph, Alicia Martinez, Dylan Morris, Hope Riale, John Zoch, and Matthew Zwiebel.

Cadets promoted to Noncommissioned officers were:

• Sergeant – Emily Bernier, Nick Caceres, Megan Davidson, Jeremy Dulis, Jessica Fulmer, Alexander Hassman, Samantha Hawkins, Samantha Kraszewski, Daisy Legates, Jerry Legates, Danny Pham, Ryan Ricketts, Emma Rider, Michael Ross, Trevor Sample, and Mark Spicer.

Raven Battalion cadets will next spend part of their summer vacation with cadets from five other Delmarva high schools at the week-long Camp Vigilance held at the Bethany Beach National Guard training site.

JROTC Mans Dog Trials

The Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion has donated hundreds of hours of community service throughout the school year. Because of this, they have been exposed to several experiences they would otherwise not have had. One of these experiences was the Maryland Retriever Club’s dog trials on Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3.

The cadets spent two sunny days providing hands-on help to the Maryland Retriever Club at their annual dog trials held at the Johnson Farm, north of Greenwood. Cadets manned the duck blinds and served as hidden wingers. Their job was to slingshot game birds into the water for the dogs to hunt and retrieve. Other cadets assisted the judges and event coordinators.

“We have had other youth groups help us before, but these cadets are the best and hardest workers we have ever had. With only 30 minutes of instruction Saturday morning, they never made a mistake all weekend. Everything went very smoothly,” commended Will Kernodle, chairman of the dog trial.

Mr. Kernodle attended Sussex Tech and majored in Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD). He was a member of the school’s first graduating class in 1995.

The cadets confirmed that they enjoyed watching over 40 dogs display their skills at hunting and retrieving the game birds.

Cadets Provide Memorial Day Services

Sussex Tech’s JROTC Raven Battalion provided services at local Memorial Day activities during the holiday weekend.

On Saturday, May 26, lady cadets placed miniature American flags on veterans’ graves at Bethesda Methodist Church. On Sunday, May 27, cadets provided an Honor Guard at First Baptist Church of Georgetown for its dedication ceremonies of a military memorial monument.

Camp Challenges JROTC Cadets

Over 30 cadets in the Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion attended Challenge Camp from May 11-13. Spending the weekend at Camp Barnes, cadets participated in challenges on the high rope course, kayaking, swimming, and team building exercises. Goals of the camp are to build the cadet’s confidence, problem-solving skills, trust in their fellow cadets, physical strength, and inner strength.

JROTC Holds Change of Command Ceremony

The JROTC Raven Battalion at Sussex Technical High School held its annual Change of Command and Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 28 at the Oak Orchard American Legion. Following dinner, Battalion Commander Madelyn Crimmins passed the American flag “colors” to incoming Battalion Commander Dylan Varrato.

Special awards were presented by community organizations to the following: Order of the Purple Heart to C/MAJ Justin Stevenson; Daughters of the American Revolution to C/CSM Jonah Riale; and Sons of the American Revolution to C/LTC Dylan Varrato. The Parents Boosters’ Cadet of the Year award went to C/LTC Aidan Gause.

Cadets then received ribbons and pins for their service during the past year. Congratulations to:

Superior Cadet:

• LET1 – C/CPL Emma Rider
• LET2 – C/SSG Zachary Bishop
• LET3 – C/LTC Dylan Varrato
• LET4 – C/LTC Aidan Gause

Distingushed Cadet:

• LET1 – C/CPL Ivy Colburn
• LET2 – C/SSG Kaycee Bean
• LET3 – C/MAJ Christopher Clifton
• LET4 – C/CSM Jonah Riale

Academic Excellence: 

• LET1 – C/CPL Emma Rider
• LET2 – C/SSG Alicia Martinez
• LET3 – C/LTC Dylan Varrato
• LET4 – C/COL Madelyn Crimmins

Perfect Attendance:

• LET1 – C/CPL Ryan Ricketts, C/CPL Megan Davidson, C/CPL Emma Rider, C/CPL Colton Platzke, C/CPL Jessica Fulmer, C/CPL Daisey Legates
• LET2 – C/SSG John Zoch, C/SGT Colin Zwiebel, C/SSG Hope Riale, C/SSG Kaycee Bean, C/SGT Zachary Faulkner, C/SGT Nathan O’Neill
• LET3 – C/2LT Ryan Burns, C/SGT Dylan Morris, C/SSG Alicia Martinez, C/SGT Zachary Bell, C/MAJ Christopher Clifton
• LET4 – C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/CSM Jonah Riale

Service:

• LET1 – C/CPL Trevor Bradley, C/CPL Erin Brittingham, C/CPL Nicholas Caceres, C/CPL Teana Cannon, C/CPL Megan Davidson, C/CPL Alexander Hassman, C/CPL Samantha Hawkins, C/CPL Davahn Lee, C/CPL Yolanda Martinez-Perez, C/CPL Danny Pham, C/CPL Richard Pope, C/CPL Alexia Jackson, C/CPL Rontrell Leonard, C/CPL Emma Rider, C/CPL Mark Spicer, C/CPL Emily Bernier, C/CPL Jeremy Dulis, C/CPL Adalid Hernandez, C/CPL Ryan Ricketts, C/CPL Ivy Colburn, C/CPL Daisy Rivera, C/CPL Samantha Kraszekski, C/CPL Margaret LeGates, C/CPL Trevor Neal, C/CPL Colton Platzke, C/CPL Allison Carey, C/CPL Donald Erickson, C/CPL Jessica Fulmer, C/CPL Jerry LeGates, C/CPL Michael Ross, C/CPL Trevor Sample, C/CPL Christian Stamm, C/CPL Natasha Taylor
• LET2 – C/SSG Kaycee Bean, C/SGT Zachary Bell, C/SSG Kathryn Bickford, C/SGT Nicholas Bishop, C/SSG Zachary Bishop, C/SGT Ryan Bossard, C/SSG Robert Christensen, C/SGT William Davis, C/SGT Zachary Faulkner, C/SGT Graciela Garcia-Miquel, C/SGT Catherine Getz, C/SGT Andrew Hartman, C/SSG Colin Hearn, C/SGT Kyle Hendricks, C/SGT Anthony Huling, C/SSG Cameron Jackson, C/SGT Nikales Joseph, C/2LT Christy Nagle, C/SSG Alicia Martinez, C/SGT Dylan Morris, C/SGT Nathan O’Neill, C/SSG Hope Riale, C/2LT Emmanuel Serna, C/SGT Tyrone Smith, C/SSG Travis Snyder, C/SGT Justin Townsend, C/CSM Tyler Wood, C/SSG John Zoch, C/SGT Colin Zwiebel, C/SSG Matt Zwiebel
• LET3 – C/2LT Andrew Atkins, C/2LT Mary Bay, C/SFC Tyler Bradley, C/SFC Kyle Breckner, C/2LT Ryan Burns, C/MAJ Christopher Clifton, C/MAJ John Crimmins, C/MSG Bradley Gordon, C/2LT Virginia Griffin, C/2LT Caleb Hagan, C/1SG Zach Logan, C/2LT Dylan Long, C/SSG Michael Morrison, C/2LT Nick Pippin, C/SGT Courtney Taylor, C/LTC Dylan Varrato, C/SFC Brice Ingram
• LET4 – CMAJ Lance Cain, C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/1LT Ryan Fitzgerald, C/LTC Aidan Gause, C/1SG Anthony Hardy, C/CPT Demontrae Jenkins, C/CPT Mackenzie King, C/CPT Joshua Loockerman, C/2LT Shane Lynch, C/CPT Austin Purdy, C/CSM Jonah Riale, C/LTC Jonathan Schafer, C/LTC Patra Silvia, C/MAJ Justin Stevenson, C/CPT Nathaniel Wilkins, C/CPT Tara Windels

Senior Army Instructor Leadership:

• LET1 – C/CPL Ivy Colburn
• LET2 – C/SSG Kaycee Bean
• LET3 – C/MAJ John Crimmins
• LET4 – C/COL Madelyn Crimmins

Personal Appearance:

• LET1 – C/CPL Ivy Colburn, C/CPL Megan Davidson, C/CPL Jeremy Dulis, C/CPL Alexander Hassman, C/CPL Samantha Hawkins, C/CPL Ryan Ricketts, C/CPL Emma Rider, C/CPL Michael Ross, C/CPL Trevor Sample
• LET2 – C/SSG Kaycee Bean, C/SGT Nicholas Bishop, C/SSG Zachary Bishop, C/SSG Robert Christensen, C/SGT Zachary Faulkner, C/SGT Graciela Garcia-Miguel, C/SGT Catherine Getz, C/SGT Andrew Hartman, C/SSG Colin Hearn, C/SSG Cameron Jackson, C/SSG Alicia Martinez, C/SGT Dylan Morris, C/SGT Nathan O’Neill, C/SSG Hope Riale, C/CSM Tyler Wood, C/SSG John Zoch, C/SSG Matt Zwiebel
• LET3 – C/2LT Andrew Atkins, C/SFC Kyle Breckner, C/2LT Ryan Burns, C/MAJ Christopher Clifton, C/2LT Caleb Hagan, C/2LT Dylan Long, C/LTC Dylan Varrato
• LET4 – C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/LTC Aidan Gause, C/MAJ Lance Cain, C/CSM Jonah Riale, C/LTC Jonathan Schafer, C/LTC Patra Silvia, C/CPT Tara Windels

Proficiency:

• LET1 – C/CPL Ivy Colburn, C/CPL Emma Rider, C/CPL Alexander Hassman, C/CPL Samantha Hawkins, C/CPL Ryan Ricketts, C/CPL Megan Davidson, C/CPL Jeremy Dulis, C/CPL Michael Ross, C/CPL Trevor Sample
• LET2 – C/2LT Emmanuel Serna, C/SSG Kaycee Bean, C/SSG Zachary Bishop, C/SSG Robert Christensen, C/SGT Catherine Getz, C/SGT Andrew Hartman, C/SSG Colin Hearn, C/SSG Cameron Jackson, C/SGT Nikales Joseph, C/SSG Alicia Martinez, C/SSG Hope Riale, C/CSM Tyler Wood, C/SSG Matthew Zwiebel
• LET3 – C/2LT Andrew Atkins, C/SFC Tyler Bradley, C/2LT Ryan Burns, C/MAJ Christopher Clifton, C/MAJ John Crimmins, C/MSG Bradley Gordon, C/2LT Dylan Long, C/SSG Michael Morrison, C/2LT Nicholas Pippin, C/LTC Dylan Varrato
• LET4 – C/MAJ Lance Cain, C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/1LT Ryan Fitzgerald, C/LTC Aidan Gause, C/CPT Mackenzie King, C/CPT Joshua Loockerman, C/CPT Austin Purdy, C/CSM Jonah Riale, C/LTC Jonathan Schafer, C/LTC Patra Silvia, C/CPT Justin Stevenson, C/CPT Nathaniel Wilkins, C/CPT Tara Windels

Good Conduct:

• LET1 – C/CPL Emily Bernier, C/CPL Trevor Bradley, C/CPL Nicholas Caceres, C/CPL Ivy Colburn, C/CPL Megan Davidson, C/CPL Jeremy Dulis, C/CPL Alexander Hassman, C/CPL Samantha Hawkins, C/CPL Alexia Jackson, C/CPL Margaret LeGates, C/CPL Yolanda Martinez-Perez, C/CPL Trevor Neal, C/CPL Danny Pham, C/CPL Colton Platzke, C/CPL Richard Pope, C/CPL Ryan Ricketts, C/CPL Emma Rider, C/CPL Michael Ross, C/CPL Trevor Sample
• LET2 – C/SSG Kaycee Bean, C/SGT Zachary Bell, C/SSG Kathryn Bickford, C/SGT Nicholas Bishop, C/SSG Zachary Bishop, C/SGT Ryan Bossard, C/SSG Robert Christensen, C/SGT William Davis, C/SGT Zachary Faulkner, C/SGT Garciela Garcia-Miquel, C/SGT Catherine Getz, C/SGT Andrew Hartman, C/SSG Colin Hearn, C/SGT Kyle Hendricks, C/SGT Anthony Huling, C/SSG Cameron Jackson, C/SGT Nikales Joseph, C/SSG Alicia Martinez, C/SGT Dylan Morris, C/SGT Nathan O’Neill, C/SSG Hope Riale, C/2LT Emmanuel Serna, C/SGT Tyrone Smith, C/SSG Travis Snyder, C/SGT Justin Townsend, C/CSM Tyler Wood, C/SSG John Zoch, C/SGT Colin Zwiebel, C/SSG Matt Zwiebel
• LET3 – C/2LT Andrew Atkins, C/2LT Mary Bay, C/SFC Tyler Bradley, C/SFC Kyle Breckner, C/2LT Ryan Burns, C/MAJ Christopher Clifton, C/MAJ John Crimmins, C/MSG Bradley Gordon, C/2LT Caleb Hagan, C/1SG Zach Logan, C/2LT Dylan Long, C/SSG Michael Morrison, C/2LT Nick Pippin, C/LTC Dylan Varrato
• LET4 – C/MAJ Lance Cain, C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/1LT Ryan Fitzgerald, C/LTC Aidan Gause, C/1SG Anthony Hardy, C/CPT Demontrae Jenkins, C/CPT Mackenzie King, C/CPT Joshua Loockerman, C/2LT Shane Lynch, C/CPT Austin Purdy, C/CSM Jonah Riale, C/LTC Jonathan Schafer, C/LTC Patra Silvia, C/MAJ Justin Stevenson, C/CPT Nathaniel Wilkins, C/CPT Tara Windels

Athletics:

• LET1 – C/CPL Emily Bernier, C/CPL Trevor Bradley, C/CPL Teana Cannon, C/CPL Allison Carey, C/CPL Megan Davidson, C/CPL Jeremy Dulis, C/CPL Jessica Fulmer, C/CPL Jerry LeGates, C/CPL Rontrell Leonard, C/CPL Colton Platzke, C/CPL Richard Pope, C/CPL Michael Ross, C/CPL Natasha Taylor
• LET2 – C/SSG Kathryn Bickford, C/SGT Nicholas Bishop, C/SSG Zachary Bishop, C/SSG Robert Christensen, C/SGT Andrew Hartman, C/SGT Anthony Huling, C/SSG Alicia Martinez
• LET3 – C/2LT Andrew Atkins, C/MAJ Christopher Clifton, C/LTC Dylan Varrato
• LET4 – C/MAJ Lance Cain, C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/1LT Ryan Fitzgerald, C/2LT Shane Lynch, C/CSM Jonah Riale, C/LTC Jonathan Schafer, C/LTC Patra Silvia

Physical Fitness Award:

• LET3 – C/LTC Dylan Varrato
• LET4 – C/COL Madelyn Crimmins

Raider Team:

• LET1 – C/CPL Nicholas Caceres, C/CPL Ivy Colburn, C/CPL Jeremy Dulis, C/CPL Nikales Joseph, C/CPL Jerry LeGates, C/CPL Margaret LeGates, C/CPL Samantha Kraszewski, C/CPL Danny Pham, C/CPL Colton Platzke, C/CPL Daisy Rivera, C/CPL Trevor Sample
• LET2 – C/SSG Kaycee Bean, C/SSG Kathryn Bickford, C/SGT Nicholas Bishop, C/SSG Zachary Bishop, C/SSG Robert Christensen, C/SGT Catherine Getz, C/SGT Andrew Hartman, C/SSG Colin Hearn, C/SSG Alicia Martinez, C/2LT Emmanuel Serna, C/CSM Tyler Wood, C/SSG Matthew Zwiebel
• LET3 – C/2LT Andrew Atkins, C/2LT Ryan Burns, C/MAJ Christopher Clifton, C/MSG Bradley Gordon, C/2LT Dylan Long, C/SSG Michael Morrison
• LET4 – C/MAJ Lance Cain, C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/CPT Demontrae Jenkins, C/2LT Shane Lynch, C/CSM Jonah Riale, C/LTC Jonathan Schafer, C/MAJ Justin Stevenson

Drill Team:

• LET1 – C/CPL Erin Brittingham, C/CPL Ivy Colburn, C/CPL Alexander Hassman, C/CPL Samantha Hawkins, C/CPL Samantha Kraszewski, C/CPL Jerry LeGates, C/CPL Margaret LeGates, C/CPL Emma Rider, C/CPL Daisy Rivera
• LET2 – C/SSG Kaycee Bean, C/SSG Kathryn Bickford, C/SSG Zachary Bishop, C/SSG Robert Christensen, C/SGT Catherine Getz, C/SSG Colin Hearn, C/SSG Cameron Jackson, C/2LT Emmanuel Serna, C/CSM TylerWood, C/SSG John Zoch, C/SSG Matthew Zwiebel
• LET3 – C/2LT Andrew Atkins, C/MAJ John Crimmins, C/MSG Bradley Gordon, C/2LT Virginia Griffin, C/2LT Caleb Hagan, C/SSG Michael Morrison
• LET4 – C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/MAJ Lance Cain, C/LTC Aidan Gause, C/CPT Demontrae Jenkins, C/CPT Mackenzie King, C/2LT Shane Lynch, C/CPT Austin Purdy, C/CSM Jonah Riale, C/LTC Patra Silvia, C/CPT Nathaniel Wilkins, C/CPT Tara Windels

Color Guard:

• LET1 – C/CPL Ivy Colburn, C/CPL Emma Rider, C/CPL Alexander Hassman
• LET2 – C/SSG Kaycee Bean, C/SSG Kathryn Bickford, C/SSG Zachary Bishop, C/SSG Robert Christensen, C/SSG Colin Hearn, C/SSG Cameron Jackson, C/SSG Matthew Zwiebel;
• LET3 – C/2LT Andrew Atkins, C/CSM Tyler Wood
• LET4 – C/COL Madelyn Crimmins, C/LTC Aidan Gause, C/CPT Demontrae Jenkins, C/2LT Shane Lynch, C/CPT Austin Purdy, C/CSM Jonah Riale, C/LTC Jonathan Schafer, C/MAJ Justin Stevenson

At the end of the program, the Parent Boosters Club presented parting gifts of miniature saber replicas to all graduating senior cadets. The cadets then gave appreciation gifts to Boosters Club President Awenita Hensley and Treasurer Stu Hensley who have supported the JROTC program for many years.

JROTC Cadets Compete in Dover Raider Challenge

The Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion had its Alpha team and Bravo team participate in the Dover Raider Challenge on Saturday, April 21. The Alpha team placed third in physical training, second in rope bridge, and third overall.

Raven Battalion Hosts Annual Raider Challenge

The Sussex Tech JROTC Raven Battalion hosted the annual Raider Challenge on Saturday, March 24 on the grounds of the cross-country track. The damp weather did not dampen the spirits and competitiveness of the cadets attending. As hosts, only the under-class cadets competed for the experience while the upper-class cadets performed the behind-the-scenes duties necessary for a successful event. Competition was held in physical fitness, first-aid, 5K run, rope bridge, and land navigation.

Cadets Build Bridge To Win

Congratulations to the JROTC Raider”A” team on their excellent performance at the Woodbridge Raider Challenge on Sat., March 10. After weeks of hard work, the Sussex Tech cadets were able to dethrone the Woodbridge squad in the rope bridge competition with a remarkable time of 2 minutes 42 seconds. The team had to construct a rope bridge, crawl across it without touching the ground, and dismantle the bridge. Members of the winning team were cadets Justin Stevenson, Chris Clifton, Lance Cain, Jonathan Schafer, Andrew Atkins, Ivy Colburn, Zach Bishop, and Bobby Christensen.

The Raven cadets also won third in the 5K run. Rounding out the “A” team were cadets Jeremy Dulis, Jonah Riale and Bradley Gordon. Cadets who were in attendance for support were Jay Crimmins, Catherine Getz and Kaycee Bean.

  

Raven Battalion Hosts Drill Competition

Sussex Tech’s JROTC Raven Battalion hosted its first drill competition on Saturday, Feb. 11 with seven schools competing. Competition was held in Armed Regulation, Unarmed Regulation, Armed Exhibition, Unarmed Exhibition, and Inspection. As hosts, Sussex Tech cadets conducted the various behind-the-scenes duties necessary for the competition to run smoothly, and only competed in the infamous knock-out drill at the end of the day. The event gave the Raven cadets an opportunity to display their leadership skills. Woodbridge JROTC was named champions of the event.