On February 28, North Quincy High School participated in the drill meet at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, which involved 9 different schools: Assabet, Bedford, English, Gloucester, Lowell, North Quincy, Peabody, and Salem. Upon arrival, cadets worked diligently to practice on the drill floors before the start of the drill meet. Cadets competed in a variety of armed and unarmed events, including Regulation, Inspection, Color Guard, Team Exhibition, Dual Exhibition, and New Cadet. Before the awards ceremony, Unarmed and Armed Knockout events took place, with North Quincy cadets being the majority winners in each category. As a result of their weeks of preparation, practice, and dedication, cadets and their teams earned numerous trophies, earning 2nd overall at the meet. North Quincy placed first in Armed and Unarmed Inspection, Unarmed Regulation, and New Cadet. Additionally, the unit placed second in Armed Regulation, Armed and Unarmed Exhibition, and third in Armed and Unarmed Colorguard. Overall, the drill meet showcased the cadets’ discipline, teamwork, and commitment, reflecting the strength of the MA-841 AFJROTC program.
Between November and February, cadets participated in the Junior Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) program, with an emphasis on current events, vocabulary, grammar, financial literacy, and trivia in all academic subjects. During each weekly practice, all members prepared for the Level II test through buzzer drills to improve reaction time, speed drills with the aim of answering before the powermark, and SAT-like practice tests. Team I prepared for Level II by holding an additional practice on Mondays. Both teams took the Level II test on February 10, 2026. Team I achieved a score of 94%, and Team II achieved a score of 86%. These scores exceeded the recorded scores of both teams in previous years. Furthermore, Team I has qualified for the National Academic Championship, held at The Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. They will continue to participate in bi-weekly meetings in order to enhance their knowledge and prepare rigorously for the next stage, which will also continue to involve strategy practice and buzzer priming, along with collegiate-level trivia.
On February 13th, seven schools gathered at Danversport Wedding and Events to celebrate the Annual JROTC Military Ball. The evening was preceded by Cadet Captain Livia Ng, who served as the Master of Ceremonies for the night. It began with the invocation, where the different corps gave thanks and acknowledged their blessings, before proceeding with the presentation of the colors and the singing of the National Anthem. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the POW/MIA ceremony was performed to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in our Armed Forces. The evening carried on with recognizing active and retired military members, chaperones, parents, and graduating cadets who plan on joining the armed services. Following dinner, two cadets from each school were recognized from each school for their contributions to the corps. From North Quincy, Cadet Aaron Nguyen and Cadet Nikkie Zhu were recognized as outstanding cadets. For the rest of the evening, cadets, instructors, and chaperones alike enjoyed themselves on the dance floor, taking pictures and talking amongst themselves.
Cadets were stationed throughout the school to assist with organizing and managing different areas of the event. Some helped oversee the buffet in the gymnasium, while others supervised the craft tables in the media center. Additional cadets were placed at various entrances to welcome guests and guide them to the appropriate locations, ensuring the event ran smoothly. After the buffet in the gym was cleaned and packed away, the event coordinator kindly allowed the remaining food to be shared among the cadets who had volunteered their time. Everyone then moved upstairs to the media center to help monitor the performance area while enjoying an outstanding Lunar New Year show. As the performances continued, cadets began carefully cleaning and packing up the craft tables. By the time the final acts concluded, most of the cleanup had been completed, and guests began filing out after a successful and enjoyable celebration.
On February 4th, the MA-841st Air Force Junior ROTC conducted its annual in-house inspection. The entire corps assembled at 6:30 A.M. in the North Quincy High School gymnasium, where attendance was taken and cadets prepared for inspection. During this time, members of the Top 5 Staff carefully reviewed each flight, evaluating uniform wear. Following the inspection, the morning continued with the AS-2 30-Step Drill Competition. In this event, the wings led by the Director of Operations and the Director of Operations Support competed against one another, demonstrating their proficiency in drill movements and commanding. To conclude the morning, the corps gathered as the Below the Zone promotions were announced, recognizing outstanding cadets who had demonstrated exceptional performance and contributions to the corps. Later in the morning, the Top 5 Staff delivered the annual Cadet Mission Briefing to both the corps and members of the North Quincy High School faculty. The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the unit’s operations and accomplishments. Topics included the corps’ demographics, the organizational structure of student leadership, major unit activities throughout the year, and various corps projects and initiatives. The briefing served to inform faculty and cadets about the program’s progress, and also highlighted the commitment, leadership, and service that define the MA-841st corps.
Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, cadet Flight commanders and cadet Squadron commanders closely monitored the cadets. Cadet Flight commanders selected one from each Aerospace Science level in their Flight to be a candidate for Below the Zone. Below the Zone is a rigorous process where they have to be chosen by the respective Squadron CC of their Flights after a short interview. These cadet commanders are looking for cadets who go above and beyond, proving their character and leadership in their daily activities. A panel interview will be hosted by the Top 5 and overseen by Master Sergeant DeLorenzo. Only one Cadet from each Aerospace Science level will be selected from the entire corps. This year's winners from AS-1 to AS-4, respectively, are C/A1C Jimin Zheng, C/Ssgt Darren Xu, C/Tsgt Tammy Lin, and C/Capt Kyle Xie. They will be receiving a double promotion for being chosen as Below the Zone Cadets.
On January 24th, cadets of the MA-841 AFJROTC participated in a drill meet at Springfield Central High School along with, Albany, Assabet Valley, English, Gloucester, Lasalle, Lynn English, Newburgh, North Quincy, Peabody, Schenectady, Springfield Central, and Windsor high schools. Before the awards ceremony, Unarmed and Armed Knockout events took place, with several North Quincy cadets placing in both categories. The hardworking, dedicated cadets and their teams earned numerous trophies, securing 3rd overall in both unarmed and armed categories. They also placed 1st in Armed Inspection and New Cadet, along with 2nd place finishes in Armed and Unarmed Regulation, Unarmed Exhibition, and Armed Dual Exhibition. Furthermore, the unit earned 3rd place in Armed Exhibition, Unarmed Inspection, and Unarmed Color Guard. For their performance, C/2nd Lt Celine Jewel Isip was awarded 2nd Overall Commander in the armed and unarmed regulation categories, respectively. Overall, the drill meet showcased the cadets’ discipline, teamwork, and commitment, reflecting the strength of the MA-841 AFJROTC program.
On January 17th, the marksmanship team went out to Revere High School to compete for their first match. After practicing for months since October, the cadets were more than ready for this day. The team consists of 4 of the best shooters and one alternative cadet. They arrived with Master Sergeant John Delorenzo at approximately 7:15 AM; started setting up scopes, mats, and rifles; and began competing with cadets from seven other schools. After shooting for prone, kneeling, and standing positions, the team placed 2nd overall, with C/2nd Lt. Fiona Chen placing 4th overall for individual shooters, and C/MSgt. Leila Yang placed 2nd for the prone position.
On January 5th, at 4:30 PM, 5 Cadets arrived at the Quincy City Hall to perform a color guard event led by C/A1C Phoebe Wang. With the limited and tight space given, practicing and adjusting before the event started was a difficult task. However, with the assistance of C/ Capt Vincent Lin and Master Sergeant John Delorenzo, the team was able to successfully perform the color guard sequence with minor mistakes. Overall, the event was completed professionally and represented the unit very well.
On the last day of school before winter break, JROTC cadets celebrated the annual AFJROTC pizza party to start the holidays. Dressed in festive costumes, multiple flights participated in Secret Santa exchanges. Additionally, through the sale of holiday raffle tickets, the MA-841st program raised $ 8,000 this year, creating an extra cause for celebration. As festive music played in the background, the classroom became the perfect place to begin an eagerly anticipated vacation!
On December 13th, North Quincy High School hosted its home drill meet, welcoming eight schools—Lowell, Springfield Central, Peabody, Haverhill, Assabet, Salem, The English, and North Quincy—and over 300 participants, along with family members and friends. Cadets competed in a variety of armed and unarmed events, including Regulation, Inspection, Color Guard, Team Exhibition, Dual Exhibition, and New Cadet. Before the awards ceremony, Unarmed and Armed Knockout events took place, with several North Quincy cadets placing in both categories, demonstrating precision in drill. In culmination of several weeks of preparation, practice, and dedication, the MA-841st earned multiple trophies and secured 1st Overall at the drill meet. North Quincy placed 1st in Armed and Unarmed Regulation, Armed and Unarmed Inspection, New Cadet, Unarmed Team Exhibition, and Armed Dual Exhibition. Additionally, the unit earned 2nd place in Armed Color Guard and 3rd place in Unarmed Color Guard and Armed Exhibition. C/Lt. Col. Ethan Xu and C/2nd Lt. Fiona Chen achieved the awards of 1st Overall Commander in the armed and unarmed regulation categories, respectively. Throughout the drill meet, teamwork, leadership, and accountability strengthened across the corps, while reinforcing standards of excellence in execution and professionalism.
At 5:00 PM, attendance for twenty JROTC cadets took place inside Parker Elementary School’s library. Cadets were assigned to various stations, including bracelet making, washable tattoos, nail painting, and Christmas ornament decorating, with two cadets stationed at each area. With demonstration of strong teamwork, the cadets communicated effectively with one another to ensure all stations ran smoothly. The organization maintained smoothly throughout the event, with staff and participants receiving proper support. As the event concluded, cadets stayed behind to clean up the stations before leaving the event after ensuring the library returned to its original condition.
The MA-841st AFJROTC Unit hosted its annual canned food drive in an effort to benefit the local community. Cadets hauled thousands of ounces of food, specifically non-perishables. In partnership with a local food bank, Interfaith Social Services, the cadets were able to gather the requested goods that the organization desperately needed. In the spirit of friendly competition and building camaraderie, a contest was held between the various flights. Those who held the highest per cadet average of donated food in ounces would win. Cadets worked together within their flights and contributed both funds and time out of their day to facilitate the event. The food drive was a massive success, with cadets being able to collectively donate over 62,916 ounces of goods. This special event will put food on the table for dozens of families across the neighborhood, which was such a rewarding realization for all those who participated.
On the morning of November 11th, Veterans Day, roughly 170 cadets of the MA-841st AFJROTC proudly participated in the annual Quincy Veterans Day Parade. Cadets began at Quincy High School, marching in precise formation all the way to Veterans Memorial Stadium. Upon reaching the mayoral podium, cadets executed an “Eyes Right” command to render honors and pay their respects. The event served as a powerful reminder of the values of service, sacrifice, and unity that the AFJROTC strives to uphold. Through their professionalism and respect, the cadets strengthened their connection to the community and demonstrated the enduring importance of honoring America’s veterans.
On Saturday, November 8th, fifteen cadets from North Quincy High School represented their program at the annual Salem Devil Dog Challenge at Salem High School. Upon arrival, they were divided into six platoons composed of cadets from different schools, where they worked collaboratively to complete a variety of physically and mentally demanding events, including the Medical Evacuation course, tire pushing, the Gauntlet, ammo box carries, etc. The cadets from North Quincy demonstrated strong teamwork, leadership, and perseverance throughout each challenge. The competition ended with a HUMVEE push, where the top three platoons earned medals for their speed and coordination. To close the event, participants celebrated the Marine Corps’ upcoming 250th birthday with a traditional cake ceremony.
On October 30th, twelve cadets attended the National Security Symposium at Quincy High School as part of the Adams Speaker Series hosted by the Adams Presidential Center. Four cadets presented the colors while Cadet Major Ethan Liu led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The event featured distinguished guests, including General Joseph F. Dunford, the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Massachusetts Congressman Stephen F. Lynch. Throughout the event, cadets greeted guests upon arrival and distributed notecards for attendees to write questions for the speakers. They later collected these notecards and handed them to the event moderator to assist in facilitating the Q&A session. During the first half of the symposium, cadets listened attentively to discussions on leadership, global security, and the responsibilities of national service. This experience left a lasting impact on the cadets, inspiring them to reflect on the importance of service, discipline, and civic engagement in their own futures.
On October 24, 2025, at five PM, a total of thirty-two cadets participated in helping Parker Elementary School's annual trunk or treat. Out of the thirty-two cadets, six were selected to oversee the mini-games in the center of the park. The rest of the cadets were split into pairs. They were responsible for assisting the parents with the trunks. The cadets passed out candy from the trunks and were in charge of the mini-games. Additionally, two cadets were responsible for ensuring there was enough candy at every trunk. If any trunks were low on candy, the two cadets would grab a bag of candy supplied by the school and refill them. At the end of the event, all the cadets helped with cleaning up the trunks, mini-games, and trash.
On October 10th, 2025, twelve cadets in service dress attended the Sailor’s Statue Ceremony, held for the City of Quincy’s celebration of the Navy’s 250th birthday. Throughout the event, cadets fulfilled various responsibilities. Some cadets warmly greeted guests and distinguished dignitaries as they arrived, while others distributed informational flyers and guided attendees to their assigned seats. Once all attendees were seated, the cadets stood at parade rest, demonstrating professionalism, discipline, and respect for our sister service as the ceremony unfolded. At the conclusion of the event, cadets were visited by State Representative Bruce Ayers and Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch and treated to a meal, recognizing their dedication and service throughout the day.
The iCanBike Summer Camp, hosted by the city of Quincy, provides a supportive environment for people with disabilities to learn and enjoy recreational biking. Lasting from August 18-25, AFJROTC cadets attended two daily sessions, each lasting 75 minutes, to offer guidance and encouragement to the striving bikers. To ensure safety, each biker was assigned 2-3 cadets, as they progressively improved in both skill and confidence throughout the week. By the end of the event, cadets held the honor of presenting certificates of completion to all participants, marking the end of the iCanBike program on a gratifying note.
On a trip to Washington, D.C. from June 20-24, JLAB Team I performed spectacularly in the JLAB National Championship, advancing through the quarterfinals and successfully reaching the semifinals. After months of studying numerous subjects and materials, the cadets competed against other schools in trivia, winning 5 out of the 7 playoff rounds on the first day. Despite being eliminated during the semifinals, the team placed 3rd out of over 500 Air Force teams nationwide and spent the remaining time exploring the nation’s capital. The trophy brought back to the school highlights their academic excellence, teamwork, and dedication in the unit.
On the evening of September 15, cadets of all years convened in the atrium to prepare for Back to School Night, an event dedicated to informing parents about their children’s school environment and education. Wearing with pride the full AFJROTC uniform for the corps, the assigned cadets, stationed at the front and back entrances of the school, greeted all incoming families warmly. The parents explored their children's classrooms and briefed themselves on this year’s coursework, as cadets continued to maintain a welcoming atmosphere. Divided into groups of four, each group took charge of a designated floor, providing directions and answering any questions from guardians. Through their presence, the cadets ensured the event ran smoothly for the rest of the night.
During this year’s September Leadership School, held from September 24-28 at Camp Edwards on Joint Base Cape Cod, cadets developed their skills of leadership, discipline, and practicality. Upon arrival, cadets participated in a variety of activities, including tests on various skill sets, within multiple unified flights. These activities included model firearms, Land Navigation, simulation exercises, rigorous uniform and room inspections, knowledge and proficiency examinations, and a challenging obstacle course where flights demonstrated their extent of teamwork. Under the management of Top 5, Sarge, and Chief, the annual Encampment successfully pushed cadets to their limits within a structured environment, with many earning distinctions for their aptitude and growth. Though the five-day trip ended in haste, the cadets returned home with a new bond amongst their flights and a shared sense of camaraderie.