Gabrielle, Kriss, Trinity and Ally are sharpening their leadership talents at Northeast High School by teaching traditions to younger cadets.

The four Rockets are serving as student mentors in the Lincoln Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC). They are helping new cadets learn important customs to become citizens of character. These activities also strengthen bonds within the program over the course of the school year. This creates a cohesive and connected unit of high school students from all four grades.

Gabrielle and Kriss said they enjoy sharing their AFJROTC knowledge with younger cadets. The two seniors have become role models because of their work ethic and leadership traits in both academics and activities. Both were selected to represent the school in a color guard ceremony in front of hundreds of people at a recent Northeast football game.

“It’s one of the most rewarding things to be able to see how cadets grow from their first day to their last day,” Gabrielle said. “Getting to see the way that cadets improve themselves and their character is really cool.”

“The thing I enjoy the most about mentoring new cadets is being able to connect with them,” Kriss said. “Connection is important, because if a cadet is struggling, it’s important to find a way to know how they learn best so they can succeed.”

Trinity and Ally joined their teammates in the color guard event. Trinity, a sophomore, said several older mentors helped her successfully navigate her first year in AFJROTC. She is now building the confidence of fellow cadets who are following in her footsteps.

“I’ve definitely grown a lot as a person,” Trinity said. “I’ve become more open, and I’ve become more of the person that I wanted to be when I first joined. It’s been really good.”

Ally, a junior, said the mentorship culture is one of the most important components of the program. She said the group’s close-knit nature keeps cadets motivated throughout their days.

“A big thing that we are proud of is the support all of our cadets give to one another,” Ally said. “No one is ever left out or made fun of. Everyone is taken in as they are and can grow while in our community. The support and love that we have in the corps is something so strong that I’ve never seen before. We all help each other progress in life and have help in what we are looking into.”

The AFJROTC curriculum includes multiple courses that emphasize leadership fundamentals and healthy lifestyle choices. Students also polish their communication talents, learn essential management strategies and gain knowledge about subjects such as aviation history and the science of flight.

Cadets refine these life skills by participating in events such as fitness challenges, military balls and community parades. These opportunities allow them to showcase the skills and traditions they learn in class.

One of the program’s most visible activities is the presentation of colors at Lincoln Public Schools games, concerts and commencement ceremonies. Two students display United States and Nebraska flags in the middle of the four-person row. The other two cadets carry ceremonial rifles that are part of the proceedings.

Gabrielle, Kriss, Trinity and Ally stood together in front of a large crowd at Seacrest Field during their recent color guard presentation. The quartet practiced formations before the football game and received support from fellow cadets during their appearance on the field. They ended their team-centered evening by disassembling the harnesses and flag equipment together afterwards.

Kriss said these types of bond-building moments have been life-changing for her.

“I believe this helped me grow more as a person and got me out of my shell, as I was very secluded and closed off,” Kriss said. “This program really helped me unlock a new and better version of myself.”

Kriss and Ally both said they are grateful for good mentors when they began their AFJROTC journeys. They said their positive experiences made a lasting impression on them. Their goal is to pass along those academic and prosocial benefits to incoming cadets.

“My favorite thing about being able to mentor newer cadets this year is guiding these new cadets into good shape and helping them have structure to their days,” Ally said. “JROTC helps keep cadets focused and motivated throughout their days at school, and it pushes them to have better grades as well as better performance in life.”

“When I first joined the program as a freshman, I struggled a lot with getting the basics right,” Kriss said. “I felt like giving up too many times, but the people in the program encouraged me to keep building myself up instead of down. And, with their support, it’s why I’m still a very proud member of this program.”

Gabrielle said those stories are why she feels honored to serve as a mentor. She said they are examples of how the program’s emphasis on community-themed learning is so valuable for every cadet.

“It’s remarkable to see how far you can go from knowing absolutely nothing to now helping others who are really new to it,” Gabrielle said. “It’s been such a great experience to do this.”

Choose Your Journey! Explore how our Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) helps build citizens of character and prepares students for the future.

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