Aniello Angrisano
Crimson Reporter
After a century running and years of speculation JROTC, or the junior reserved officer training corps, is coming to an end beginning in the 2017-2018 school year. In an official letter send out today by Principal Alejandra Sanchez it was announced that the program would come to an end.
“It is with great sadness that I am informing you that the JROTC program at Hollywood High School will not continue starting in the 2017-18 school year due to lack of funding. After three years of discussing the school funding issues with the JROTC Leadership, including Col. McDonald and providing them with with an official and timely notice last school year, we are now proceeding with this heartbreak decision” Ms. Sanchez said. “As stated above, I am extremely saddened by this decision and will immensely miss our wonderful cadets and instructors who have contributed so much to our school life and activities” Ms. Sanchez stated.
Obviously the move was an outrage to many and they supported JROTC at lunch on Wednesday April 7. It was at this meeting that Ms. Sanchez broke out the news to cadets that they were canceling the program, it was these cadets that they broke the news out to their supporters at the meeting that inform them the program ended. “I feel depressed. The program has been in Hollywood High School for a 100 years. It creates family, relationships, and friendships. It also teaches leadership skills which are great later in life,” said Jason Kim, 11th grader whose been in the program all three years and is a former officer, “I personally don’t want JROTC to shut down, JROTC has influenced so much in not only in my life but also the students of Hollywood High.”
As JROTC ends Ms. Sanchez will implement a new competitve A-G course but not will have to be seen. As for the heartbreaking news Ms. Sanchez said there was no possible way to fund the JROTC program in the coming years. Only time will tell towards Ms. Sanchez controversial decision.