Cadets in the Chambersburg Area School District Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corp (ROTC) received a number of local, regional and national accolades at the year-end awards ceremony on April 26th. The Cadets celebrated a year of stellar accomplishments at their annual military ball and awards ceremony hosted by The Orchards in Chambersburg.
Over the course of the last year, Chambersburg Cadets amassed over 3000 hours of community service, earned dozens of trophies in regional competitions, provided Color Guard support for more than 30 local ceremonies and events, visited retirement communities and the middle schools, and travelled to places like West Point, the Naval Academy, and USS NEW JERSEY.
Commander Apgar, the Senior Naval Science Instructor, administered the enlistment oath to five Cadets that have committed to military service upon graduation. The Navy presented a $200,000 Naval ROTC Scholarship to Penn State to Cadet HP Ashley.
Twelve Cadets received leadership and service recognitions from local civic organizations such as the Scottish Rite, Surface Navy Association and the National Naval Officers Association, and Cadets Bidniuk and Putt were awarded $1000 scholarships from the Chambersburg Elks Lodge #600.
The highlight of the evening was the guest appearance of the NJROTC Area Manager to present three special awards. The first of these recognized Cadet Joseph Stopyra for his response to a serious motorcycle accident in Greene Township where his clear-thinking, leadership and first-aid skills helped to stabilize and potentially save the life of the crash victim. For his actions, Cadet Stopyra was awarded the Cadet Meritorious Achievement Award - the highest NJROTC award available to a Cadet.
LT Hicks then presented the Cadet leadership with the fifth consecutive Distinguished Unit Award. This award places the Chambersburg NJROTC in the top 20% of all programs nationwide. Following the presentation of the Distinguished Unit Award, LT Hicks made the surprise announcement that Chambersburg NJROTC was selected as the Most Outstanding Unit in NJROTC Area Three. Area Three encompasses Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Southern New Jersey and includes more than 2 dozen NJROTC programs. Most Outstanding Unit is an honor presented to only 23 schools nationwide and ranks Chambersburg NJROTC as one of the premier programs in the country!
The Chambersburg Navy Junior ROTC is a citizenship and leadership development program of the Chambersburg Area School District and the Naval Service Training Command. The NJROTC program is led by retired Marine Master Sergeant Louis Montney and retired Navy Commander Bruce Apgar. More information on the program can be obtained by contacting Chambersburg Area Senior High School.