Publication Sneak Peek

Instructional Leader

This segment features content from other AAEA publications. Instructional Leader is a quarterly publication available to subscribing districts. The following excerpt comes from the March 2022 issue.

Clearer Than Ever: Extra-Curricular Involvement to Build Social Circles and Strengthen Self-Esteem

Contributors: Brian Kirkendoll, Alma High School Principal, Alma School District Kevin Taylor, Alma School District Senior Chief Troy Peel, Alma High School, NJROTC

Extra-curricular participation in sports, clubs, and school organizations has been an important part of education in the U.S. for decades. Being a part of activities has saved many students from leaving school and has also helped others shine when they would not have otherwise. This school year has shown us more than ever how important it is for students to have an opportunity to find their niche and get plugged in.

One Alma High School organization in particular attracts students from all socioeconomic levels. The Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) offers unique opportunities for students. On average, around 100 AHS students participate in NJROTC. Not only does this organization offer numerous leadership opportunities, but it also has several specialized areas of training and competition.

Drones

One area in NJROTC that has proven to be extremely popular and successful is the drone pilot program. The drone program has drawn and attracted students that traditionally have not been interested in any other school activity involvement.

Alma NJROTC Chief Troy Peel promotes the drone program speaking to students of professions using drones with a starting salary of $45,000 a year. The only requirement for these positions is a Drones license. As part of a STEM-based program to promote NJROTC, Alma schools received a portion of a grant from Congress last year for $1M. The money was divided into two categories: academic and competition drones, according to

Peel. Alma was the only school in Arkansas selected to purchase the academic drones.

“This allows us to prepare cadets for the FAA part 107 small UAV pilot test, bringing a valuable industry certification to the program,” Peel said. “Once licensed, students are able to fly drones commercially. After the initial approval of the academic drone, we were informed of additional money available to purchase competition drones.

These drones do not require an FAA license and are flown indoors. There are applicable jobs for drone pilots. If you’re 16, and you have your commercial license, you can work part time for private companies.

Alma NJROTC cadets participating in their Annual Military Inspection (AMI) on February 9, 2022

Drone competitions require each team to communicate and navigate five courses. The events are a relay race, slalom course, lap race, Visual Flight Rules (VFR) obstacle course, and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) obstacle course. The most challenging will be the IFR obstacle course because the pilot is blindfolded and must fly their aircraft with verbal cues from the rest of the team. Alma recently fielded two teams at a competition in Mt. Home.

Commercially, drones have become big business for a number of industries, including police and fire departments. “The drone industry is growing exponentially,” Peel said. “You see evidence of their existence every day without even knowing it. Movie scenes, TV commercials, and social media are the most common evidence of their usage. Drones are used to monitor construction projects, inspect infrastructure, and by law enforcement. Russellville Police Department has a drone force.”

Big businesses like Walmart are also using drones. “Walmart is testing a fleet of drones that are currently making deliveries in Northwest Arkansas,” Peel said. “Drones have the capability to map farmland, show the farmer exactly where chemicals are needed, and then allow the application of chemicals to those specific spots. There are even drone prototypes that will carry a passenger - your flying car is coming soon!”

Orienteering

Another opportunity within NJROTC is orienteering. This provides an additional area of participation and includes students who traditionally have not participated actively in other extra-curricular areas of school. The modern sport of orienteering has roots in Europe, dating back over 120 years. Generally, the word orienteering means any type of map navigation contest where you are working against a clock or other players. During an event, contestants are given a topographical map of the area, which they will use to locate and navigate to designated points. It is through the successful and speedy navigation and the locating of these points that one can win an orienteering competition.

Orienteering is an exciting event in which to participate. You must use your wits, intelligence, fitness level and cunningness to overtake your opponents and get the fastest time.

For a beginner, you should have a few key items of equipment before you undertake orienteering. They include a compass, whistle, proper clothing, small flashlight, and a decent water bottle. Keep in mind that orienteering matches often take place in state or national parks, forests, hills, and areas of awesome natural beauty. The terrain is often undulating and uneven, and you may be required to cross streams, rocky outcroppings, ravines, etc.

Training prior to undertaking any new challenge is highly recommended and is especially recommended for orienteering. One should train and be familiar with how to read a topographic map, navigation techniques (with and without a compass), and establishing a baseline level of physical fitness does not hurt either when making the decision to participate in orienteering.

Participation

The 21/22 school year has been unusual for NJROTC in terms of student participation. Alma NJROTC has seen student participation skyrocket this year by fielding competitive teams in military drill, orienteering, academics, physical training and marksmanship. The annual military inspection for Alma demonstrated the student’s commitment to the program when all of the cadets were present and in uniform. Alma NJROTC has never experienced this level of attendance in prior years. Not only did the unit have great participation in this year’s annual inspection, cadets have been very involved in many aspects of NJROTC. In addition to drone and orienteering, NJROTC has marksmanship, armed drill, unarmed drill, color guard, physical fitness, and academic teams. Being able to see students laugh, smile, and enthusiastically participate in extracurricular activities is certainly something we love to see.

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