JROTC Cadets Return from Freedoms Foundation, Washington DC

JROTC cadets from throughout San Diego Unified joined cadets from across the country at the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and Washington D.C. Leadership Conference, April 19-25. The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, founded in 1949, celebrates the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights and their relevance to our daily lives.

This year's Freedom Foundation attendees were: Zabrina Reyes and Arnelle Sambile, Mira Mesa High; Jordan Robertson, Patrick Henry High; Michelle Mayo and Audrey Pelonia, Morse High;  Marielena Teng, Scripps Ranch High; and Stephen Fang, Kearny High.  The attendees returned with a greater sense of awareness and appreciation of the principles and responsibilities of a free and democratic society. The educational trip, sponsored and fully-funded by the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW), was held at the Freedoms Foundation's 85-acre campus in historic Valley Forge, PA, and culminated with a visit to Washington DC.

This year’s American Leaders Youth Summit conference focused on leadership, American Government and history. During the conference students were assessed and recognized for their leadership qualities, participation and subject knowledge. Congratulations to the San Diego cadets who were awarded the top two honors in the four Leadership Award categories.

Cadets completed their time in Pennsylvania with a trip to Philadelphia and visited Independence Hall where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted. From Philadelphia, the cadets travelled to Washington D.C., where they toured Arlington National Cemetery, the American History Museum, the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence and USConstitution, and a show at the historice Ford Theatre. The highlight was a tour of the Unitied States Capitol sponsored by San Diego Congresswoman, Susan Davis.

For more information about the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, go to www.freedomsfoundation.org.