Panther Battalion Commanding Officer
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ashley Sanchez
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I made a spur of the moment decision to join MCJROTC during registration freshman year. It was the best decision I have ever made in school! MCJROTC has taught me how to be a strong and confident leader; how to exercise sportsmanship; be humble, and demonstrate self-discipline and bearing at all times. I have tried to take advantage of every of opportunity the program provides to better myself. I have been on the Drill, Raiders and Color Guard Teams. I have participated in numerous events and competitions, to include being in the Color Guard for the Anaheim Ducks hockey game. Within MCJROTC, I attended a drill camp in Texas and a leadership camp in Virginia, completed a cyber-security course that provided me three college credits, and took a 3D printing class. I have gone on numerous field trips to include paintball, rappelling, the Boot Camp Challenge and the Holocaust Museum of LA. I also got to visit Washington DC and meet with my Congressman, tour the monuments, and visit the Museum of the Marine Corps. I made lifelong friends and feel more connected to our school and community. No other high school program would have given these opportunities or to grow so much.
Panther Battalion Executive Officer
Cadet Major Ivan Resendiz
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I joined MCJROTC my freshman year because I wanted to try something different than PE. MCJROTC has helped me grow exponentially over the last two years, and I am a much more capable, confident and better person because of the program. I really enjoy the family type atmosphere we have. There are cadets in grades 9-12 working together to get things done in a supportive environment. I also enjoy passing on the skills and knowledge I have acquired to younger cadets. I take pride in seeing others being successful using what I taught them. I have had great time on our field trips, with the highlight being able to go to Washington DC to meet with Congressman Correa, tour the Capitol Building, the White House, and see the monuments and Arlington National Cemetery. I have also gone to Texas for a National Drill Camp and to Virginia for an Aviation STEM camp. While I learned a lot on these trips and in these camps, they have also shown me how much more I have to learn. I am embracing the challenge to improve. Participating on the Color Guard, Drill and Raiders teams has also helped me become a better rounded person. Of all the benefits of MCJROTC, I would say the friendship I made are the most important thing. As a leader, that motivates me to help maintain our inclusive, welcoming environment so others can benefit from MCJROTC like I have.
S-1 Administration and S-6 Public Affairs Officer
Cadet Major Briseyda Aguirre
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I joined MCJROTC a week into my sophomore year. I felt like I had gotten all I could out of PE by that point and decided to accept the challenge MCJROTC would provide me. I have never regretted my decision. I joined the Color Guard, participated in numerous field trips, and volunteered for every community service event I could support. I took the MCJROTC academic classes to heart, and I soon found myself growing into a more confident and self-disciplined person. I am in a better shape physically, mentally and morally because of MCJROTC and I feel like a better person overall. I have also created strong friendships with other cadets and other students on campus because of MCJROTC. I am honored to now be a leader in the program, and I look forward to helping others by passing on my knowledge while continuing to develop and improve myself.
S-3 Operations Officer
Cadet Major Brenda Mendez
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I joined MCJROTC my sophomore year after a cadet came to our PE class to brief us about the program. I was impressed by the cadet’s self-confidence, bearing and public speaking abilities. I remember her stressing that program allows cadets to experience new things, build relationships and cultivate their leadership skills in ways not possible anywhere else in high school. She was right; I cannot believe how much I have grown. My physical fitness has improved, my skill sets have expanded, and my confidence has increased. I have been given the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of field trips and events. This includes going to Washington, DC where I visited the White House, met with Congressman Lou Correa and went on a guided tour of the Capitol Building, saw many of the national monuments and several museums. I attended a JROTC cybersecurity camp at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri where I learned highly marketable skills while earning college credits. I also had the chance to go to the Thousand Oaks Youth Leadership Conference where I lived on a college campus four days and learned a lot. One of my favorite things in MCJROTC is the celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday. I love to see all of our cadet leaders working hard to ensure the ceremony goes smoothly. Within the program I am a member of our Joint Leadership and Academic Bowl team, Cybersecurity Team, Raiders Team, Color Guard and Drill Team. I am very honored to be the Operations Officer for the 2024-2025 school year.
S-4 Logistics Officer
Cadet Major Kandience Morgan
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I joined MCJROTC my freshman year and it is a decision that changed my life. At the time I was very shy, had little confidence, and had trouble socializing. In MCJROTC I found my voice and many great friends. I have also enjoyed experiences I have had on the field trips like rappelling; paintball; the Anaheim Ducks NHL game, and the Marine Corps Birthday celebrations at the Elks Lodge. I am more self-confident and better able to handle responsibility because of my time in MCJROTC. I have enjoyed every day of it and I am now proud to be a leader in the program.
Alpha Company Commanding Officer
Cadet Captain Jack Lohrman
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
MJROTC is an amazing experience for me! The structure, core values, and training has provided me with a sound foundation for the future. I have improved my self-discipline, physical fitness and leadership while in the program. MCJROTC has given me unique opportunities to develop as a person, and to participate in a myriad of activities not available anywhere else. I have been to a Cyber-Security Camp in Alabama where I earned three college credits. I have also been to an Aviation STEM Camp and a Leadership Academy in Virginia, and attended another Leadership Camp in Thousand Oaks, CA. I have gone on multiple field trips, to include Washington DC where I toured the Capitol Building; the White House, and Arlington National Cemetery and all the monuments. Perhaps most unique, I had the chance to fly a plane on an orientation flight and fly in a helicopter. I am much better prepared for the challenges ahead because of my time in MCJROTC.
Bravo Company Commanding Officer
Cadet Captain Karelle Soriano
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
As I enter my senior year in high school and fourth year in MCJROTC, I can recognize how much the program has helped me grow. I have had opportunities to challenge and improve myself that I could not have gotten anywhere else. My experiences include participating in drill and physical fitness competitions; performing in Color Guard in front of thousands of people, to include Anaheim Mighty Ducks hockey games; and taking numerous field trips. I was also able to attend a leadership camp in Virginia with cadets from around the country. In addition to making great friends, the highlight of MCJROTC for me was getting to go to Washington DC for a week. While there I had met my congressman, the Honorable Lou Correa; toured the Capitol building, the White House, and Arlington National Cemetery, and saw all the monuments. MCJROTC has helped me develop self-discipline, improve my public speaking skills, and become a leader. I am a better student, friend and person because of MCJROTC.
Battalion Sergeant Major
Cadet Sergeant Major Briana Martinez
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I joined MCJROTC my freshman year looking for something more than what PE would give me. I certainly found that and more in MCJROTC. Almost immediately, I realized the program would change my life forever. The lessons really hit home, and I saw fellow cadets in leadership positions whom I wanted to emulate. I am much more comfortable interacting with people and am more confident in my ability to handle responsibility because of my MCJROTC experience. What I learned in MCJROTC has helped me advance outside the program; I am now a manager in our school’s Future Farmers of America Club. I have also met great people and have established life long bonds through MCJROTC. I know the self-confidence, self-discipline, values and leadership skills I developed in MCJROTC will be with me the rest of my life.