Prospect junior earns success at national NJROTC competition
Prospect High School junior Victoria Potoniec participated last week in a national marksmanship competition for NJROTC (Navy Junior ROTC) cadets. Victoria traveled to Anniston, Alabama, to take part in the JROTC Service Championships - and notched a personal best score over the weekend.
Victoria qualified for nationals at November's regional championship. In Alabama, she competed against top NJROTC athletes from around the country. On Friday, competitors had to shoot 20 targets from each of three positions: Prone, kneeling and standing and then, repeat the relay in the Saturday session. In the second round, Victoria notched her personal best, a score of 514 (out of 600 possible points).
"The competition was nerve-racking, but great," says Victoria. "Everyone said they were so proud, that it was the first time anyone from our unit made it to nationals for marksmanship."
She says she signed up for NJROTC at one of the district's activities fairs for freshmen. She didn't really know anything about NJROTC at the time, but was interested because it was military-based. Her parents were convinced she'd lose interest in a month or two. "But instead, I fell in love with it,"she says.
Her commitment includes attending a four-hour Wednesday night class at Wheeling High School. In addition to physical activities like marksmanship, drilling and workouts, cadets study naval history and operations, plus geopolitical topics.
"It's definitely fun - partly because it's a whole district program, with people from all six schools," she says. "I get to meet so many people from all over the district, at all grade levels. And you grow up with them all four years of high school."
Her dream is to be accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy next year, and pursue a career in the Navy.
"I was always interested in the military, but never really saw myself in it. After NJROTC, I understand the career pathways," Victoria says. "And I love the people and the mindset; they're so dedicated and motivated. It's something amazing to give up your life for your country."