Wasatch High School Air Force JROTC Program

Our cadets did a fantastic Color Guard for the USDA National Conference, held in Park City. Thanks to Callie, Seras, Connor, Joe W and Joe G. Plus it was Joe G's first Color Guard! I know it is not easy giving up summer days for events but they definitely appreciated us taking the time to support them!

Thanks to our team for manning Exchange #29 (Oakley Rodeo Grounds, 3:30 am to noon) for the Ragnar Relay. Not only did you raise $1100 manning the station and helping runners get thru the race, we also won 2nd place for Best Exchange, which is voted on by staff, other volunteers and runners. That means an extra $300 to help the unit with expenses for next school year. Thanks to Seras, Aubrey, Callie, Aidan, Jesse, Teresa (Aubrey's mom) and the other Lt Col Harris for working the exchange! I know it was a long night!

We are ready to welcome Ragnar Relay runners at exchange 29 at the Oakley Rodeo grounds! 400 teams will be coming thru today.

More pictures from the Raider comp since FB limits you to 80.

Enjoy!

On Saturday 3 May, the Raider fitness team traveled to UMA Hill Field to compete in the JROTC state championship. We fielded two teams for this first of its kind meet. Raider comps challenge the cadets physically and mentally and push them beyond what they think they are capable of.

Each team has to complete each of these events: the relay (tire flip, 30 pound ammo can carry and 4*4 log carry for 30 yards), 75 pound litter carry thru obstacles, knot tying, army combat fitness test (push ups, ball throw and planks), build a rope bridge and go across, and a 5k ruck with 25 pound pack.

Team 1 consisted of: Kaleb, Joe W, Luke P, Meri, Rafi, Dustin, Sam J, and Jonah. They placed 2nd in the Tire Relay and 3rd in the Army Combat fitness test.

Team 2 consisted of: Aubrey, May, C**t, Jesse, Korbin, Zach and Link (and a cadet from Taylorsville).

You all should be proud of what you accomplished. It was a tough course and you learned a lot to get ready and learned more from competing!

Today was a service project at the Wallsburg cemetery. Cadets helped raise veteran headstones so they were above ground level again and the stones were cleaned. It is a wonderful way to honor their sacrifices and learn something about the history of this beautiful valley. Thanks to Seras Gardner's grandparents for asking us to help. This is a project we hope to continue each year.

On Monday and Tuesday, 13-14 May, each flight retired American Flags. These are flags that can no longer fly, either ripped or faded. If we could salvage some of the flag stars, they are cut properly and given to veterans.

Cadets also built and launched model rockets since the weather is good. They will have additional opportunities this last week of school if they want as well.

Cadets have been very busy over the last week.

Monday 6 May: Color Guard for the annual Rotary recognition night for the top 10% of each academic class.
Monday 13 May: Color Guard for Senior Scholarship night, where almost half a million dollars of scholarships were awarded to many in the senior class.
Wednesday 15 May: Color guard for the cool 2 care assembly
Thursday 16 May: Color guard and ushers for the graduation ceremony.

Way to represent! Great job and thanks to all the cadets who volunteered.

Another beautiful (and windy) Friday night on the field. Tonight cadets (Sam D, Seras, Jonah and Luke P) presented the Colors for the last regular season home game for Boys Lacrosse and senior night. Kudos to Luke: he helped his JV team secure a 14-6 win then quickly changed and 20 minutes later was back on the field in ABUs. 🇺🇸

Thanks to the cadets for being part of the Junior Prom. Our Saber team did an Arch to introduce the Prom Royal Court. Always nice to be part of our school events!

Cadets help support the annual PEAK 5k. The PEAK is Parents Empowering Abled Kids and is a non-profit dedicated to helping support students with special needs and their families. We have helped at their 5K fundraiser every spring for a few years now, presenting the Colors and helping at the event. This year cadets manned the water station, ran with students, cheered on runners and helped with tear down. It's an event we love supporting every year!

Here are more photos from the Dining Out, all from the camera by the Saber Arch. Enjoy!

The annual Dining Out/Military Ball was Friday 29 March. The cadets were able to enter thru our Saber Arch, mingle with community and school leaders, plus family and friends. After the presentation of the Colors, the POW/MIA table and toasts, we enjoyed a yummy meal from Meg's Timberline Cafe and listened to a fantastic speaker, Jon Beesley. Jon was an Air Force test pilot and first person to fly the F-35. Then the cadets cut loose on the dance floor.

Thanks to everyone for helping to plan and set up. It was a fun night!

The marksmanship team of Sam J, Callie, Aubrey, Hilda and Luke P competed in the state championship on Saturday 9 March. The team (Sam, Callie, Aubrey and Hilda) placed 4th with 1828, only 21 points out of 3rd place. This was the highest team total at state since the team started competing back in 2021-2022.

They shot 20 targets (max 10 points each) in three positions: prone, standing and kneeling.

Sam was the top Wasatch overall finisher, placing 15th (out of 45 shooters). Aubrey placed 16th, Hilda 20th, Callie 21st and Luke 27th. This was Hilda's and Luke's first season on the team.

In Prone, Sam placed 10th, Aubrey 16th, Luke 24th, Hilda 25th and Callie 32nd.

In Kneeling: Sam 15th, Hilda 17th, Aubrey 20th, Callie 21st and Luke 25th.

In Standing: Callie 9th, Hilda 14th, Aubrey 15th, Sam 20th and Luke 33rd.

All shooters either tied, within 1 or beat their personal best. Great job to the team!

Cadets completed in the Utah State Drill championship on 2 March. Armed inspection placed 4th out of 8 teams and Unarmed inspection placed 4th (by two points) out of 10 teams. Color Guard team of Daegan, Dustin, Graham and Preston placed 8th out of 20 teams. The weather prevented us from competing in the drill down but still a great job by all cadets. Look forward to next year!

The drill team and color guard teams competed at their first meet of the season on Saturday 24 Feb at Ben Lomond high school. Congratulations to the unarmed drill team, they placed 2nd in regulation: Preston (the CC), Dustin, Cayden, Meri, Joe, Luke, Seras, Molly, Link and Jonah. With only 2 returning cadets with drill team experience, this is an amazing result! The flight also competed in unarmed and armed inspection.

The Color guard teams didn't place in the top 3, but they still did great (we just don't have a list of all teams and scores). We have an all male team of: Waylon, Preston, Dustin and Graham. And for the first time we have an all female team: Callie, Meri, Seras, and Molly.

Cayden was our top finisher in the drill down. There were over 250 cadets to start and he probably was in the top 25.

Congratulations on a great meet!

Last week the cadets supported two events with a Color Guard. Tuesday 20 Feb was the annual state of the valley luncheon. Cadets learned valuable information about our Heber, Midway and the school district.

On Thursday 22 Feb we were proud to support our girls basketball team in their home playoff game.

It was a busy week for the cadet corps. Congratulations to our Marksmanship team: Aubrey, Callie, Sam J and Hilda. They placed 2nd in the Southern Utah Region championship on Wed 21 Feb, just 70 points shy of UMA. Aubrey placed 3rd overall with a 241 (out of 300) and only 1 point shy of her personal best. Sam placed 3rd in kneeling, also one point shy of his PB with a 232. Callie and Hilda both shot a 226. Callie was also one point shy of her PB and this was Hilda's best match, earning a Sharpshooter badge in the process. Luke shot as an individual shooter and got his best score as well with a 210.

Next match is the State Championship on Saturday 9 March. Good luck!

Cadets supported the girls and boys basketball senior nights last week. Thanks to Sam D, Joe W, Jonah, Jesse and Seras for a job well done. And congrats to Jesse for his first two Color Guards!

Our cadets were requested to conduct a Color Guard at the reinterment of PFC Richard Jones, USMC. PFC Jones fought in WW2 alongside his brother PFC Kay "Pete" Jones. Pete was KIA on Iwo Jima but Richard came home. He passed away in 1987 but was reintermed to be alongside his widow who passed just recently.

The cadets proudly carried the colors while the Marine Corps folded a flag for presentation and played Taps. Thank you to Sam D, Cayden, Connor, Seras and Molly for helping on short notice and honoring PFC Jones' legacy. It was a touching ceremony.

Great job by all the Wasatch Robotics teams. The AFJROTC team competed with the three Wasatch teams at an all day comp in Tooele on Saturday 10 Feb. The JROTC team, in their second comp, came in 36th (out of 38 teams) but played better and learned a lot. Plus they were picked for an Alliance in the final tournament ! Wasatch team 1908V placed 9th, 1908B placed 12th and 1908X placed 28th. It was a fun day!

Around 23 cadets and dates traveled to Weber State for the annual all service JROTC Military Ball. It is a chance for the cadets to get to know other cadets from around the state and forge new friendships. All seniors are also recognized and announced thru a saber arch. Then they all dance the night away until it's time to head back!