LFHS NJROTC Qualifies for State Meet Again

The Los Fresnos Navy Junior ROTC has qualified for the State Drill Meet Finals for the 13th straight year March 27-28 in College Station.

Finals for physical fitness and academics will be held Friday, March 27. Finals for the Color Guard, armed drill and unarmed drill teams will be held Saturday, March 28.

The qualifying process began in September, as drill meets attracted 30 high schools from throughout the state at each time. LFHS competed against schools from all over the state, including the Dallas area, Beaumont area, and El Paso area.

Forty-five students competed to represent LFHS NJROTC, which was designated as the 2014 Best Unit in Texas.

The group is led by Commanding Officer Cadet Roque Villafranca, Executive Officer Cadet Juan Mares, and Operations Officer Cadet Emma Rapavi.

Team commanders are Cadets Miguel Pedraza, Stephanie Garza and Brandon Acosta.

Garza said that the streak has created a reputation for the program and an expectation for the school’s cadets to do well. “New cadets are told about the tradition, and the program stresses us to work hard.”

Cadets typically finish their school day with two hours of after school practicing and honing their skills. Saturdays also are filled with hours of drill or community service.

“We joke around all the time that we have no life,” Cadet Alan Mendez said. “There’s so much pride in meeting one of our milestones. “It’s incredible.”