Left to right:  Col. Robert Hyver, the district’s director of Army Instruction; Col. Fulton Johnson, Tara High School JROTC instructor; Tara High’s former JROTC cadet  Battalion Commander Bryant Hamilton; Tara High’s new JRTOC cadet Battalion Commander Reshard Pearson; Tara High Principal Luanne S. Estess; and Tara High JROTC instructor Master Sgt. Johnell Joseph.

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadet battalion at Tara High School won the overall 2010-2011 Superintendent’s Trophy for amassing the most points in district-wide competitions year-long of any battalion in area public high schools. 

In addition to Tara High competing at a high level in the district events, the school’s battalion competed in the Louisiana State Drill meet and placed second overall.  Tara High School JROTC also has retained the designation of Honor Unit with Distinction during the Command Formal Inspection conducted in February by the Army ROTC 6th Brigade Representative. 

Col. Robert Hyver, the district’s director of Army Instruction, said part of the JROTC program’s leadership and character development is in promoting healthy competition in the areas of leadership, drill, marksmanship and physical fitness.  Cadets participating in these integrated-curricular activities must be in good standings in both academics, with a grade point average of 2.0 and with no disciplinary problems.  The instructors and cadets practice after school and compete on weekends. 

Annually, the East Baton Rouge JROTC Program sponsors three district drill meets and marksmanship competitions, a district physical fitness competition and four cadet leadership boards to select Cadets of the Year at each academic level.