Pictured are members of the CHS raider team navigating the obstacle course portion of the All-Service JROTC Raider Championships held at Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Camp in Molena, Georgia. From front to back: Cadet Airman Alexa Gibbs, Cadet Master Sergeant Ethan Lear, Cadet Airman Christian Vasquez, Cadet Captain Elicia Salgado, Cadet Master Sergeant Xavi Escarcega, and Cadet Ariman Mariana Martinez.

CARROLLTON, GA — The Carrollton High School raider team has concluded its competition season following strong performances at events in Haralson County and the National Finals in Molena, Georgia. CHS began offering the AFJROTC Raider team as an extracurricular opportunity a couple of years ago.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, the team competed at Haralson County High School’s Raider Challenge, entering two mixed teams, “A” and “B”. Team A earned first-place finishes in the team run, Raider fitness, and obstacle course challenges, while also placing second in the tire flip and third in the cross-country rescue. Team B finished second in the Raider fitness category, right behind Team A.

Overall, the Trojans claimed the championship in the mixed team category, placing in five of the six events.

The season concluded on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the All-Service JROTC Raider Championships held at Gerald Lawhorn Scouting Camp in Molena, Georgia. Competing against 22 teams nationwide, the Trojans finished 11th overall, highlighting the program’s continued growth.

“Both teams worked extremely hard to earn these awards and represented our school with distinction and dedication,” Master Sgt. Ryan McClain said. “We accomplished a great deal this season, including hosting our first on-campus meet. I am excited for the future as this program continues to grow.”

Other extracurriculars the CHS AFJROTC program offers are the Flight Academy Scholarship Program, CyberPatriot, the Cyber Academy, and the Kitty Hawk and Space Society. The goal is to offer a range of programs so all AFJROTC cadets can get involved.

The Air Force Junior ROTC Flight Academy Scholarship Program is an Air Force-level initiative in collaboration with the commercial aviation industry to address the national civilian and military pilot shortage. The Flight Academy allows aspiring young aviators to get their private pilot’s certification, at no cost, during an eight-week summer course at partner universities. The scholarship covers transportation, room and board, academics and flight hours required to potentially earn a private pilot certificate. The scholarship is valued at approximately $23,000.

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program.  The competition puts teams of high school and middle school students in the position of newly hired IT professionals tasked with managing the network of a small company. In the rounds of competition, teams are given a set of virtual images that represent operating systems and are tasked with finding cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the images and hardening the system while maintaining critical services in a 6-hour period.  Teams compete for the top placement within their state and region, and the top teams in the nation earn all-expenses paid trips to Baltimore, MD for the National Finals Competition, where they can earn national recognition and scholarship money.

The Cyber Academy is designed to generate interest in a vital skill set. In 2021, Headquarters AFJROTC announced summer scholarship funding for AFJROTC cadets to attend an online Cyber college course at select public and private universities. Selected cadets were identified through a competitive, multi-phased boarding process. The scholarship funds one college course, which awards approximately three college credit hours upon successful completion. Cadet Malachi Thomas was selected, attended, and completed the Cyber Academy last summer, making him the first Cyber Academy selectee from CHS.

Kitty Hawk Air & Space Society (KHAS): KHAS is the official academic honor society of AFJROTC. Established in AY71-72, KHAS is sponsored and supported by the Air Force Association’s (AFA) Aerospace Education Foundation, KHAS upholds academic standards and promotes further interest in academic achievement. Specifically, its purpose is to promote high academic standards and achievement as well as school and community service, encourage self-confidence and initiative, help develop leadership skills, and further members’ knowledge of the Air Force’s role in aerospace.