MHS JROTC repeats in Raider Competition

Marianas High School C/Capt. Donald Pangelinan, center, poses with the rest of the school’s JROTC team after winning the 2016 Raiders Competition. (Mackenzie Perez)

For the second straight year, the Marianas High School JROTC won the island-wide Raider Competition against other JROTC teams from Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam.

The MHS Raider team was included in an athletic competition within the JROTC schools in the CNMI. They participated in five events—push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, 2-mile run, and 1-mile gallon carry.

The winning team consists of Donald Pangelinan, Austin Aldan, Kevin Aldan, Alan Yu, Aries Gutierrez, Generou Arcilla, Mico Ucherbelau, Neldreyton Skerei, Samuel Borja, Kevin Hi, John Bautista, Kevin Zhen, Angelo Sion, Gee-syu Hahn, Daryl De Luna, Addie Fabiana, and Julia Malate

“They just want to better themselves from last year, our points this year were actually higher than last year by 30-40 points so they excelled and they actually bettered themselves from last year so they keep improving,” said Army instructor Sgt. First Class Anthony Crolla

Pangelinan said that being a Raider has many perks “for example the physical conditioning we provide is fun to most of the members and also healthy for everyone’s lifestyle as well as each member has a significant part to the team”

The Raiders Competition or “Raider” is a popular athletic competition held within the Junior ROTC programs. Raider competitions are designed for a small group of physically fit and mentally tough cadets to compete in numerous outdoor activities

This year’s competition was held in the CNMI and unlike last year it didn’t have schools competing from the states, according to Crolla.

MHS principal Cherlyn Cabrera expressed her gratitude to the team for winning.

“The Marianas High School JROTC has continued its legacy of excellence this year as shown in the most recent back to back win of the raider competition. It shows the effort, commitment, dedication and many hours of practice pays off and goes a long way.”

“The JROTC Battalion has worked extremely hard this year in an effort to meet and even exceed their goals. The Raider win is an example of how any group of dedicated students can achieve much if they work as a team and work hard. Congratulations to the Mighty JROTC Dolphins!” Cabrera added.

In a statement, Crolla said that he is proud of the team for winning again, “Keep excelling, I’m proud of you, you motivate me as an instructor and just keep doing your best”

“Winning for the second year in a row feels validating, we can now truly say we’re the best Raider team in the Marianas after winning and defending our title,” said Pangelinan. “Win or lose, no matter what, you will leave raiders with a sense of accomplishment.”

This is the second win for the MHS JROTC Raider team in this competition. Their first was in 2015.