Students from the Heritage High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (MCJROTC) secured a spot in the national JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl (JLAB) championships from June 21-25. After excelling in two online rounds of rigorous competition with 141 teams, they will compete against the eight top teams in the country in Washington, D. C.
“JLAB was a tremendous new opportunity for me and my teammates to work in a team to develop our interest in STEM and general knowledge,” said Heritage High twelfth grader Kaushik Yadala. “Overall, JLAB has been an excellent opportunity for our team to build knowledge, teamwork, and collaboration.”
From left to right: Tyler McGuire-Brevo, Leeland Dwyer, Kaushik Yadala, and Steven Fanning.
Under Yadala’s leadership, Heritage High students Leeland Dwyer, Tyler McGuire-Brevo, and Steven Fanning demonstrated their understanding of math, science, language arts, current events, and financial literacy under pressure. Through the nationally recognized competition, students learn citizenship and leadership skills, preparing them for postsecondary success.
“JLAB has shown the four of us how to work as a team and has built our knowledge,” Dwyer said. “Our team leader Kaushik Yadala has been a great leader throughout all of this, helping us learn things we would’ve never known without him. Overall, JLAB has helped us build knowledge, teamwork, and leadership.”
The national championship will be held at the Catholic University of America. It will be sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps JROTC and organized by the College Options Foundation.