Emmett J. Conrad High School JROTC cadets returned to Dallas as history-makers for the district.
“It feels amazing that I get to cement my name in the Dallas ISD and Conrad history for student excellence,” said Leonardo H., JROTC member.
Recently, the team, also made up of Jordan P., Angel C., and Kyan H., traveled to Washington. D.C. to compete in the 2023-2024 JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl.
“It was great to see my cadets compete with some of the best JROTC cadets in the nation,” said Leon Johnson, JROTC instructor. “It was also a blessing to share a moment they will remember for the rest of their lives.” The Conrad JROTC team is the first in Dallas ISD history to make it all the way to nationals and the only school in Texas to compete in the championship.
“I feel very proud to represent our school district and our state,” Angel said. “Our ability to make it to the national championship makes me and my comrades proud of what we have accomplished.”
Also known as JLAB, the competition consisted of rigorous oral, written, and hands-on tests, assessments, and activities. Cadets were tested in five subjects, including the Leadership Gauntlet, Leadership, According to the Greats, JROTC Leader Knowledge Assessment, Leadership Outside the Box, and JLAB Leader Reaction Course.
“It was truly an honor and amazing to see my cadets prepare for and accomplish such a huge milestone like this in their life,” Johnson said. “My cadets took pride in knowing that they were representing their families, Conrad, and the great state of Texas. I was very proud of them.”
The event, which spanned a few days, came with challenges, like a national monument scavenger hunt, battling fatigue, and running into roadblocks in the various competition rounds. But strong communication helped the team face them head-on.
“We got through it by our teamwork, commitment, and our unwavering dedication,” Kyan said.
Maggie Dacres, Kyan’s mother, said the team’s dedication to one another was a highlight of the experience.
“As a mother, I am beyond proud of my son and his accomplishments. Not only did he represent the school and the district, but he also represented his family. Words can only express a portion of the beat my heart has for his huge achievement,” she said. “But I am most proud of the dynamics and support the team showed for each other,” she said. “There was no broken link to this chain. They were made for this opportunity.”
Made possible by the College Options Foundation, the trip to Washington, D.C. was about more than accolades.
“The experience of getting to be here was rewarding all in itself,” Jordan said. “We were able to come all this way, now as our reward we got to see the national monuments, get information on future scholarship opportunities, and meet a lot of cool people.”
In Washington, D.C., the cadets had a once-in-a-lifetime experience giving them a chance to meet with others around the nation who share similar interests, see the nation’s history, and get an idea of what their future could look like.
“My eyes were opened to the multitude of opportunities and scholarships the U.S. Army offers for post-secondary school,” Leonardo said.
In fact, the trip was the first time Angel traveled out of state, and on an airplane. Being able to experience a new place was one of the most rewarding experiences of the trip, he said.
“Washington, D.C is a beautiful place to visit, and I would recommend that everyone visit and see all our National Monuments,” he said.
