The Roberto Clemente Community Academy JROTC program began the 2016-2017 school year at a sprinter’s pace. Cadet Captains Kate Arzuaga, Cami Evens, and Sophia Almazar led sixteen other cadets as they supported the Clemente open house on August 31st. The Cadets provided information to prospective students and their parents about the school and the JROTC program. They also assisted the visitors as greeters and guides within the school.
Roberto Clemente Community Academy cadets assisted the local community on Sunday September 11th by providing a color guard to New Life Church on Western Avenue during two services. The services were in part a remembrance and tribute to that fatal day fifteen years ago that changed the nation forever. Roberto Clemente Community Academy and New Life have forged close tie focusing on supporting the needs of the local community.
Twenty-four of Clemente’s cadets began the 2016-2017 orienteering season on Saturday, September 24, by hosting the first of five scheduled events for the school year. 247 cadets from fourteen JROTC programs in Chicago attended the opening event. Clemente’s cadets are responsible for setting up parts of the course, registering teams and running the event while also participating.
On September 26th, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, Rosa Ramirez, went to the Chicago Union Club for the annual Battalion Commanders Appointment Ceremony. Rosa was officially recognized as the Commander of the Roberto Clemente Community Academy Wildcat Battalion. Rosa assumes the leadership duties and responsibilities over 224 fellow cadets. Rosa is a senior with four years of experience as a cadet. Her last position was as the battalion’s finance office during the 2015-2016 school year.
Lastly, Roberto Clemente Community Academy cadets participated in the Columbus Day Parade. Lieutenant Colonel Rosa Ramirez led the Clemente Wildcats down State Street on October 10th. The Wildcats will participate in three other future parades; Veterans Day Parade in Hillside, and Greek Day and Memorial Day Parades in Chicago.