For Memorial Day we gathered to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. C/ Abreu delivered a speech on the significance of the POW/MIA table, while C/ Neal gave a solemn presentation of the table, reminding us of those who never returned home. Later, C/ Martinez and C/ DeCamillis laid a wreath in remembrance of all the fallen American heroes, a powerful tribute to their courage and sacrifice. We are grateful to our cadets for helping preserve the memory of those who gave everything for our freedom. Let us never forget.
NJROTC cadets visited the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, for an immersive experience into life at a federal service academy. They toured the campus, met with midshipmen, and learned about the academic and leadership opportunities available through maritime service, gaining valuable insight into potential career paths in the military and maritime industry.
Our NJROTC Color Guard had the honor of presenting the colors at a Philadelphia Union game, showcasing patriotism on a major stage. Cadets proudly represented Kingsway in front of thousands of fans, making it a memorable experience for all involved.
Our first-ever Kingsway NJROTC Military Ball was a formal and memorable evening honoring the traditions of military service and the achievements of our cadets this year. The event featured a formal dinner, ceremonial presentations, and dancing, bringing together cadets, families, and guests in celebration of leadership, camaraderie, and excellence.
Our Varsity and 1st Year Drill team celebrate their many accomplishments from the 2024-2025 drill season.
This year, April 1, 2025, marks the 132nd anniversary of the Chief Petty Officer. Our cadet Chiefs celebrated the meaning of their ranks and the upheld history.
Cadets went back to Seaford Highschool to compete in the Area 3 Championships. This competition marked the end of the 2024-2025 drill season and cadets finished strong by taking home 6 trophies. 1st Place Varsity Unit Personnel Inspection : 1st Place Varsity Color Guard : 2nd Place Varsity Unarmed Platoon Drill : 3rd Place Varsity Armed Platoon Drill : 3rd Place Academics : 3rd Place Overall. Such an amazing way to end this competitive drill season, Bravo Zulu cadets.
On March 8, the Kingsway Regional High School NJROTC Color Guard was honored to proudly present the colors at the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships, demonstrating precision, discipline, and patriotism. The cadets stood tall as the national anthem played, displaying the flags with honor and respect.
Our cadets competed at Seaford High School against 11 other schools on March 1. They brought home 5 more trophies taking 2nd in Varsity Armed Platoon Drill, 2nd on Varsity Unit Personnel Inspection, 2nd Varsity Overall, 2nd Freshman Unarmed Squad Drill, and 1st Varsity Unarmed Platoon Drill. This was the first competition where Varsity placed 1st in any event but it will not be the last. Everyone's hard work led to these amazing successes.
At Wenonah Cemetary, the Kingsway NJROTC program proudly participated in Wreaths Across America, a nationwide event dedicated to remembering and honoring fallen service members. Cadets presented the colors and laid wreaths at veterans' graves, demonstrating respect, discipline, and patriotism. Through this meaningful ceremony, our cadets upheld the JROTC mission of developing leadership, citizenship, and a deep appreciation for those who have served. Their participation honored our heroes and reinforced the values of service and commitment to the community.
On November 15, 2024, we honored and celebrated our veterans at a heartfelt Veterans Day Breakfast. This special event is dedicated to recognizing the bravery and sacrifices of the men and women who have served in our nation's armed forces.
Kingsway NJROTC cadets head out to their first drill competition for the 2024-2025 school year at Gaithersburg High School to compete in drill, academics, PT, and UPI. Cadets brought home 2 trophies for Kingsway.
Our NJROTC cadets went out on an exciting field trip to the Coast Guard Base in Philadelphia. This hands-on experience offered cadets a unique opportunity to learn about maritime operations, leadership, and teamwork directly from Coast Guard professionals. Through guided tours, interactive demonstrations, and engaging discussions, the cadets gained valuable insights into the critical role the Coast Guard plays in national security and public safety.
On October 19, the Kingsway NJROTC hosted and competed in the Area 3 Orienteering Championships. Cadets gave it their all on the courses and it payed off. Four trophies were brought home including 3rd Place Yellow Challenge course, 2nd Place Junior Varsity, 3rd Place Varsity, and 3rd Place Overall. Cadet Maria Fleming won 1st Place Yellow Challenge course for female runners.
Our cadets proudly present the colors while wearing their pink aiguilette's to raise awareness for breast cancer. Through this gesture, they honored survivors and stood in solidarity with those still fighting. On this night, we also celebrated our seniors who have given their all to the program and made this team into what it is today.
Kingsway's NJROTC heads out to Warinanco Park for yet another orienteering event. NS2 cadets challenged themselves by competing on the Brown course, as the NS1 cadets experienced what the White and Yellow courses were like. Cadet Efrain Kitchin finished 1st place for the White course and Cadet Richard Cetkowski finished 5th place for the Brown course.
Kingsway Navy JROTC Color Guard makes headlines and lands in the South Jersey Courier Post by Chris Lachall/USA Today Network Atlantic Group https://www.courierpostonline.com/picture-gallery/sports/high-school/football/2024/09/07/h-s-football-camden-defeats-kingsway-30-0/75117914007/
Kingsway NJROTC performed the Color Guard for the class of 2024 commencement ceremony. The cadets worked hard on perfecting their maneuvers on a tight stage and they nailed it! Outstanding job color guard.
Color Guard Presentation begins at 1:10:00
Cadets particpated in the Kingsway Regional Middle School Veterans Day Breakfast Ceremony. Company Commander Cadet Bianca Aulich was the Master of Ceremonies, Color Guard presented the colors, and a platoon of cadets was led by the Company Senior Enlisted Leader Cadet Peyton Merdian.
Cadets, Staff, and Administrators stopped to produce a video about what it means to be an NJROTC Cadet, and why NJROTC is right for you! If you would like to know more, please contact Senior Chief Schuster at: schusterd@krsd.us
Cadets particpated in the Kingsway Regional High School Memorial Day Ceremony. Our cadets had the honor to perform the POW/MIA Remembrance, the program was gifted POW/MIA flag and Laying of the Wreath, honoring all service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. All gave some, some gave all.
POW/MIA Remembrance begins at 32:50
POW/MIA Flag gifting begins at 36:50
Laying of the Wreath begins at 1:19:20
On August 12, 2024, Kingsway NNDCC saw its newest Core-of-Cadets walk through the doors for Basic Leadership Training. This has been a vision of Superintendent Dr. James Lavender for over a decade. In July 2022, Dr. Lavender received authorization to start up a Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) program. He and his team began educating the Dragon community about the program and its benefits and recruiting the rising 9th-12th grade Dragons. In February 2023, Dr. Lavender hired his first program director, Senior Chief David Schuster, USN (Ret), to build, grow, and lead the program to success. Senior Chief Schuster is a veteran of the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) and was most recently with a program of nearly 600 Cadets in the program, earning Distinguished Unit with Honors for 13 consecutive years.
In June 2023, Senior Chief Schuster was introduced to the eager future cadets and their families. On August 12, 2024, the newest Core of Cadets walked through the North Entrance and began their Basic Leadership Training (BLT). Kingsway's Core-of-Cadets went through four days of intense training. On August 15, 2023, Kingsway's Cadets performed an official NJROTC Physical Fitness Test, an Academic Test, a Uniformed Personnel Inspection, a Knockout Drill Competition, and finished with a Pass-in-Review.
It is not easy to make the decision to join a prestigious organization such as the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC). That decision is even harder when you elect to be an early adopter for a program in a school of 2,000+ students. But these early adopters are not just students, they are young men and young women, they are young gentlemen and young ladies, and they are now Cadets! These cadets began their journey to becoming something larger than themselves.
The JROTC program is a growing family, and as it gains more cadets, it is key to get to know one another. Building connections is a necessity for a strong program. One way cadets get to know one another better is through team-building activities. These are activities where all cadets, no matter if they´re senior cadets or new, participate in a variety of group tasks. These tasks are focused on improving communication, building trust, and teaching everyone how to work together.
Incoming cadets get an in-depth rundown of important information they must learn and commit to memory for their time in JROTC.
Everyone must participate in PT where they are pushed to do their best in several physical challenges.
The incoming cadets get training in basic drill movements they will use throughout their time in JROTC.
Chief Steve Lebanski graciously decided to come out and set up a simple training course to equip cadets with knowledge of how to use a compass.
Before these incoming cadets graduate they are tested on their physical abilities by participating in a PFT which consists of a mile run, planks, and push ups.
After four days of hard work and practice cadets officially graduate from their training. There is a presentation of colors where the Commanding Officer accepts the newest cadets into the platoon.