Fontana High School has long been respected for their nationally-recognized JROTC program. When the administration at Poplar Elementary School saw the confidence and discipline the program was giving to the students at Fohi, they wondered what it could do for their students. Michele Tuttle, Counselor at Poplar, knew first-hand about the program from her years working as a counselor at Fohi, so she contacted Sgt. Major Nicolia to see if he and his cadets would be willing to work with some of the students at Poplar.

The JROTC Drill Team visited Poplar and did presentations for the entire school. “They were a big hit with the Poplar students,” said Ms. Tuttle. Since then, the cadets have returned to give motivational talks during Red Ribbon Week. “Once again, the Poplar students were completely taken with the cadets to the point of asking for their autographs,” Ms. Tuttle continued.

Ms. Tuttle, Sgt. Major Nick and Poplar Principal Michelle Hiser began kicking around ideas on how to create opportunities for the cadets to come more often to the campus. “Sgt. Major Nicolia generously offered to start an elementary program at Poplar,” said Ms. Tuttle. His offer was immediately and enthusiastically accepted. The result was the Poplar JROTC Boot Camp.

In May of last year, the first Boot Camp, developed and run entirely by Sgt. Major Nick and his Cadets, was held. The Poplar administration targeted and identified three types of students for this opportunity. “First were students who had behavior problems and would benefit from the discipline of an ROTC program,” said Ms. Tuttle. The next were students who needed help building their self-confidence and last, students who showed strong leadership qualities.

Thirty students were invited to take part in the Boot Camp. A parent meeting was held at which Sgt. Major Nick and the Cadets explained what the students should expect as part of the physical, drill, and leadership training. “The students were told they would be challenged physically,” said Ms. Tuttle, “and they would be a little sore the next day.”

After being on the receiving end at Fohi, the Cadets turned into real drill instructors. “They were well-trained and professional and really challenged our students,” said Ms. Tuttle. “Every single Poplar student made it through Boot Camp even though at times they were overwhelmed by what they were expected to do. The pride in their accomplishments showed on their faces – and they were sore the next day, as promised.”

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The Boot Camp was so successful that students were clamoring to join JROTC. Sgt. Nick volunteered to run another Boot Camp last September and an additional 21 students applied and were accepted. The popularity and desire to join ROT continued to build and in November a third Boot Camp took place with 36 participants. “As with the previous two Boot Camps, all participants completed the training,” said Ms. Tuttle. “No one gave up.”

There are currently 68 active JROTC Cadets at Poplar and the requests keep pouring in. The Poplar Cadets meet monthly with Sgt. Nick and the Fohi Cadets for Leadership Training Days at which the students continue their physical, drill, and leadership classes. “There are also competitions between groups usually ending in a lively tug-of-war contest,” said Ms. Tuttle. “The losers have to do twenty-five push-ups. But that does not present a challenge to the students who have become much more physically fit and confident. They can drop and do twenty-five push-ups without breathing hard.”

Sgt. Nick has planned additional activities for the Poplar Cadets to keep them motivated. They competed at the Youth Physical Fitness Training Meet hosted by Fohi ROTC on January 22. A group of twelve hand-selected Cadets are currently training to compete at a drill competition to be sponsored by the Fohi ROTC in March. “However, they will only be allowed to compete,” said Ms. Tuttle, “if they are performing at competition level.”

Sgt. Nick has volunteered his time and energy to bring the JROTC program to Poplar Elementary School and it has really paid off. Said Ms. Tuttle, “Behavior referrals are down and attendance improved amongst the cadets. Self-confidence has grown. The students at Poplar took on a difficult challenge and succeeded. They learned that taking a risk is worth the benefits gained.”

 

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