Elizabeth City, N.C. — Over 100 Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) cadets from local high schools battled at the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) football stadium Friday for the 2024 JROTC Cadet Challenge, an event that put the region's most disciplined high school leaders to the test. With the ECSU Viking Battalion as the host, the challenge featured a series of activities, with Camden County High School as the ultimate victor.
The race for the top was close. In a strong show of athleticism and teamwork, Camden County won over John A. Holmes High School, who secured second place by a close margin, and Martin County High School finished third.
The day's events tested multiple areas of the cadets' capabilities, with competitions in curl-ups, pullups, the V-sit, shuttle runs, a one-mile run and tug-of-war. Washington High School won third place in the challenge.
Individual honors went to John A. Holmes High School—the top male cadet and Martin County High School—the top female cadet.
Participating schools represented a variety of JROTC branches and displayed the diversity of programs across the region.
Army JROTC schools represented were John A. Holmes High School, Roanoke Rapids High School, Washington County High School, Washington High School, Martin County High School, South Central High School and Hertford County High School.
The Air Force JROTC school represented was Northeastern High School, and the Coast Guard JROTC school represented was Camden County High School.
As the dust settles on this year's challenge, ECSU celebrates another year of fostering leadership, resilience, and teamwork among the region's future leaders. For more information on ECSU's involvement with military programs and future events, visit the Department of Military Science.