The AFJROTC Academic JLAB (Junior ROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl) team at Crescenta Valley High School competed at the national level. AFJROTC Academic JLAB is a competition that tests high school cadets on core curriculum, SAT/ACT-style problem-solving and leadership skills. This year was particularly tough because team members competed against 815-plus units to advance through each level of competition. 

The program has been successful over the last five years with the team advancing through Levels 1 & 2 to nationals, but this year the team did something that has never happened before: team members were named the number two academic team across all Air Force JROTC units and represent the top 2% of programs across the nation. 

This year’s team made it through round one of the national competition with a 6-1 record averaging 331 points per game. Members advanced to the playoffs on day two of the event as the second seeded team advancing to the Air Force Championship. This is the highest placing for the team for this competition. 

The students were one correct answer pronunciation away from advancing to represent the Air Force in the All-Services National Championship. 

“I am super proud of these young people and truly appreciate how they represent our service branch, school and surrounding community,” said Maurice L. Mack, MSgt, USAF (Ret), senior aerospace science instructor ofAFJROTC at Crescenta Valley High School. “We are already fired up for next year and aim to reach a new milestone by coming home as Air Force and All-Service Champions.”

Submitted by AFJROTC