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Wenatchee High ROTC students present program, tell board it built leadership and career pathways
Summary
Four senior cadets from Wenatchee High School described to the Wenatchee School District board how the Junior ROTC program expanded their leadership, public‑speaking and aviation opportunities and connected the high school with regional ROTC units.
Cadet Major Sierra Cook, a senior at Wenatchee High School and squadron commander, told the Wenatchee School District board Tuesday that the Junior ROTC program provided leadership and activities she would not have experienced in a regular class. “The main reason why I joined Junior ROTC was because of the opportunities,” Sierra Cook said. “I went to New Mexico, California, Utah, won all these competitions, and it's just been an amazing high school career.”
The ROTC presentation was scheduled near the start of the Oct. 14 regular board meeting as part of the board’s “bright spots” segment aimed at highlighting programs for students. The board heard from four senior cadets who described specialized offerings — drone training, marksmanship, raider competitions and public‑speaking roles — and said the program has accelerated students’ confidence and leadership skills.
Cadet Captain Mendoza, another senior, described a new endurance event that required walking “26.2 miles” and said the program had turned students who were “very scared, very timid” into leaders who can speak publicly: “This program builds… that courage, build that encouragement to actually come up and talk in front of everybody.” Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Bridal and Cadet Major Alex Ongiano also said the program has boosted confidence; Ongiano said the unit reached accomplishments other schools took longer to achieve.
Board members asked whether Wenatchee’s unit interacts with other regional ROTC programs and whether the seniors plan to continue in military or aerospace pathways. The cadets said they regularly travel to competitions and network with other units, and several described plans to pursue military service or aviation training after graduation. One cadet said she obtained a pilot’s license last summer.
Why it matters: board members framed the presentation as an example of career and technical education in the district and noted the program’s role in student engagement and post‑secondary planning. Superintendent Kallahar introduced the cadets and invited the presentation as an item to showcase “amazing opportunities afforded to our students.”
Board follow‑up and timeline: the presentation was informational; there was no policy vote or budget action associated with the presentation during this meeting.
