Polk County Public Schools
Lakeland’s George Jenkins High, Mulberry High and Summerlin Academy of Bartow had individuals or groups win awards at the 2009 State JROTC Precision Championships. More than 90 schools from all parts of Florida competed and displayed their talents in precision drill. George Jenkins High’s U.S. Army JROTC “Eagle Battalion” were hosts for the state championships held on the George Jenkins campus. Competition events at the state championships included color guard, armed squad regulation, armed and unarmed drills and individual, dual and platoon exhibitions.
Summerlin Academy’s Kianna Biggs and Madison Nickell and Mulberry High’s Rachel Stevens all won awards in three separate events. Mulberry’s Ismary Figueroa, Vannia Lucero, Seandriana McLendon and Kasey Stephens all won awards in two different events. Mulberry’s McLendon and Summerlin’s Nickell were Polk participants winning first place awards. McLendon won first place in unarmed drill and Nickell won in individual exhibition.
Polk’s winners in the event are listed by school. The school’s JROTC advisor is listed in parentheses.
George Jenkins High (Jeff Elson): Ben Currie
Mulberry High (Jerry Wooten): Cara Barley, Ismary Figueroa, Vannia Lucero, Seandriana McLendon, Perla Puente, Sheryle Negron, Jessica Stavely, Kasey Stephens, Rachel Stevens, Derek Schussler.
Summerlin Academy (Cordale Jackson): Lacey Baker, Hannah Balderas, Kianna Biggs, Sharelleem Cintron, Kezia Elfils, Devin Fowler, Jeffery Furnish, Peter Heneen, Cynthia Owens, Faith Raymond, Madison Nickell, Joshua Ng Rodriguez, Michael Suggs.
In addition, cadets from JROTC programs at Haines City High, Lakeland’s Lake Gibson High and Davenport’s Ridge Community High competed at the state championships.
