Air Force Junior ROTC
Program Receives
2018-2019 Distinguished
Unit Award
NORWIN MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENT WINS
State-Level Competition
at National History Day
C
Norwin High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC cadets pictured
during a tour of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
N
orwin High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC program was one of
376 units to receive the 2018-2019 Air Force JROTC Distinguished
Unit Award, the second-highest recognition awarded by Air Force
JROTC Headquarters.
The award recognizes Air Force JROTC units that have distinguished
themselves through outstanding service to their school and community
while meeting the Air Force JROTC citizen development mission for
America.
The Norwin JROTC program began in August 2014 and has 110 cadets
(students) enrolled in program this year. One of the major components
of the program is citizenship/community service, and Norwin students
have excelled in this aspect.
The Norwin cadets have completed more than 100 community service
events, which have provided more than 3,400 hours of community
service. Each cadet has averaged 28 hours of service, which is well above
the required 12 hours.
“It was great to see the Corps recognized for their effort. Many of my
fellow cadets worked hard this year to exceed our goals,” said c/Lt Col
Luke Bertani, an eleventh-grade student at Norwin High School.
In addition, the Norwin JROTC unit has competed in six drill
competitions this school year.
“I believe the hard work of the cadets showcases the reasons the
District brought this program to Norwin,” said Lieutenant Colonel David
Sandala, who is Senior Aerospace Science Instructor with the program.
“The cadets take great pride in being members of the JROTC program,
and we are very proud of their success.”
The Air Force JROTC program educates and trains high school
cadets in citizenship and life skills; promotes community service; instills
responsibility, character, and self-discipline through character education,
and provides instruction in air and space fundamentals. Enrollment is
open to high school students who are in the 9th to 12th grades.
ole Kubistek, a Norwin Middle School
seventh-grade student in the Gifted
Program, placed first in Pennsylvania at
the State round of the National History Day
Contest the weekend of May 11-12. His entry,
entitled “The Greatest Flood Ever,” consisted of
a Web site detailing the events of the famous
flood in Pittsburgh and how it changed
the city. Cole has advanced to the National
Contest, which will be held June 9-13, 2019 at
the University of Maryland, College Park.
His teacher, Dr. Constance DeMore Savine,
said that in her opinion, the National History
Day Contest is among the nation’s most
rigorous. “Cole’s accomplishment is huge, and I
am so proud of how hard he worked to design
the website,” said Dr. DeMore Savine. “He
researches like a professional in the field.”
Cole said he likes the challenge of
competing in National History Day.
“Going up against so many great projects
gives me the incentive to push myself,” Cole
said. “Plus, I like to study history.”
Dr. Constance DeMore Savine, Coordinator of
Secondary Gifted Education, Gr. 7-9, and Cole Kubistek
NORWIN
❘
SUMMER 2019
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