Cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) supported the school and the Michigan City/LaPorte and Porter Counties area with participation in numerous community service projects during May. On Saturday, April 29th, cadets marched in a parade to promote protection against domestic violence for the Dunebrook organization in Valparaiso. The armed exhibition military drill platoon conducted a demonstration as part of the MCHS Middle Schools Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) exposition at Ames Field on May 5th.
Cadets assisted with the Keys to Hope Garden project on May 6th and May 20th. The MCJROTC provided 21 cadets to assist the Ivy Tech Community College on Saturday, May 13th. Other community groups that the cadets supported were St. Stan’s Catholic School, the American Legion in LaPorte, and veterans groups The Guardian Riders and The Wall Gang. Other Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) activities supported by the cadets were the Unified Track Meet, Pine Elementary School Carnival, and the Barker Middle School Dance. With the VFW Poppy Sale and the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony still remaining this school year, the MCHS MCJROTC has done 3, 655 community service hours distributed over 115 different events.
“May is an exceptionally busy time for everyone in education,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major McGrath. “With closing out the last grading period, awards, and final exams, a teacher has to ensure that all students have been given every possible way to succeed. This is also the time of year that many agencies are doing their end of the year activities and request help from us.”
Master Sergeant Jeff Benak applauded the cadets’ flexibility. “Our kids have much going on like everyone else, but they adjust their schedules to support our school and community.”
The end of the school year does not mean an end of community service. Among the agencies that he MCJROTC will be supporting over the summer are the American Cancer Society, the Michigan City Police Department, Drum Corps International, and the Grand Prix Boat Races at Washington Park. The cadets will also be marching in three parades over the 4th of July weekend. The end of the summer brings the MCAS Back-To-School Rally that provides school supplies to many elementary, middle, and high school students for the 2017-18 school year.