![The new leadership at Dinuba Intermediate School (from left to right): Jessica Juarez (soon to be Jessica Chavez) - Learning Director, Rosa Carreon - Counselor, Hilda Osorio - Counselor, Gloria Valencia - Principal, and Micah Hiett - Learning Director. [Photo courtesy of Gloria Valencia]](https://emperorgrapevine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/682710295_18557787079066828_5882969838312812831_n-900x1200.jpg)
Over the weekend of February 27-28, NJROTC’s program traveled to Southern California to compete in the Area 22 Regional Championship. After months of practice and preparation, the cadets represented Dinuba well, finishing 4th overall in Area 22 and earning several strong placements in individual events.
The trip started early on Friday, February 27, when the cadets left Dinuba and headed south. Our first stop was the University of California, Los Angeles, where we toured the UCLA Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program. During the visit, we learned how the NROTC program works, what midshipmen do, and the scholarship and career opportunities available in the Navy and Marine Corps. It was a cool experience to see what college ROTC looks like and how some of us could continue NJROTC after high school.
Later that day, we visited the USS Iowa Museum. The ship is a real battleship that served in several wars, and we got to walk around its decks and explore various parts of it. Seeing the living spaces and equipment helped us understand what life was like for sailors who served on board.
The next morning, Saturday, February 28, we woke up early and went straight to the competition. At the Area 22 Regional Championship, schools from across the region competed in several drill, academic, and athletic events. Dinuba’s cadets worked hard and performed well throughout the day.
Our unit awards:
- 2nd Place – Unarmed Basic Drill
- 2nd Place – Armed Basic Drill
- 2nd Place – Color Guard
- 4th Place – Unarmed Exhibition Drill
With these results combined, Dinuba NJROTC earned 4th place overall in Area 22, a significant accomplishment for the unit.
After the competition, we started the trip home, but stopped at the Outlets at Tejon along the way. It gave everyone a chance to relax, get food, and hang out after a long day of competing.
Later that night, we finally returned to Dinuba. The trip was a great experience for everyone involved. Not only did we get to compete, but we also learned more about naval history, college opportunities, and teamwork. Overall, it was a fun and memorable trip for Dinuba High School’s NJROTC.
