This past weekend, the Rogers High School (RHS) Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) traveled to Marysville to compete against dozens of programs across the Pacific Northwest.

RHS JROTC competed in the Northwest JROTC Drill & Rifle Conference Regional Championships against over 30 other programs from Washington State and Oregon, placing in the top 10 in the following categories:

• 1st place - Color Guard Team #1 (Tyler Saum, Fa’amona Tuitasi, Jin Wu, and Ethan Dillon)
• 3rd place - Academics Team (Jin Wu, Matthew Rink, Jeffery Harris, Joseph Puskas, and Joseph Keller)
• 5th place - Physical Fitness Team (Christian Clemons, Jeffery Harris, Gabriel Smith, Noel Tuitasi, and Claire Howard) 
• 7th place - Color Guard Team #2 (Sarah Ngugi, Noel Tuititasi, Jahzeel Torres, and Jeffery Harris)

12th-grade student and 4-year JROTC member Tyler Saum, who ranks as a cadet command sergeant major in the program, says it's an honor for the team to bring these awards back to Puyallup.

"It isn't just representing Rogers, but the entire district," Saum said. "Everyone who worked so hard to make this happen. It feels amazing!"

11th-grade student and 2-year member Ethan Dillion, who ranks as a cadet second lieutenant, says JROTC competitions prepare him for many lessons.

"It teaches me that in life nothing comes easy," Dillion says. "It prepares me for life by teaching me to work hard for what I want."

11th-grade student and 2-year member Sarah Ngugi, who also ranks as a cadet second lieutenant, says joining the program has helped her grow as an individual.

"I joined JROTC to challenge and better myself mentally and physically," Ngugi said. "These competitions teach me not only how to lead—but to engage and respect other cadets. JROTC has positively impacted my life and pushed me beyond my limits."

Congratulations to these students for proudly representing the PSD Community!