What to Know
- The JROTC cadets at Ft. Lauderdale High did a dedication and a moment of silence for Peter Wang and others during their annual inspection.
- Wang and two other students, Martin Duque and Alaina Petty, died during the mass shooting.
Every step, every move counts for the Junior ROTC cadets of Fort Lauderdale High School.
“It is really a lot about them learning about themselves and how to lead,” said the group’s leader, Capt. Terry Hammond. “This ultimately teaches them the skills they need to succeed once they leave high school.”
Those skills include responsibility, accountability and leadership. Each cadet has a leadership role: some are squad leaders, platoon commanders and battalion commanders.
“One of the main things we do learn is to set the example, and share the knowledge with people,” said battalion executive officer Stephanie Buenaventura
These cadets also learn to be selfless, and help those in need. One JROTC member who knew that all too well was Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Peter Wang, who put himself in the line of fire to save his classmates.
Wang and two other students, Martin Duque and Alaina Petty, died during the mass shooting.
Local
“It’s an amazing thing to be able to sit there and make a split decision to save so many people’s lives, putting yours at risk,” said Chief Cadet Petty Officer Brianna Marks-Sterling.
The JROTC cadets did a dedication and a moment of silence for Wang during their annual Area Managers Inspection. The recent shooting, and loss of fellow cadets, also puts things in perspective for these future leaders.
“Even this morning as the cadets were getting ready for inspection, I went to each and every one of them and their respective platoons and I told them that I love you and you’re going to do great,” Marks-Sterling said. “Because you never know when it’s going to be the last time you see somebody.”
