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Making Memories While Beautifying Pueblo South Campus
For the 16 South High School JROTC cadets under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Victor Vasquez and 1st Sergeant Jason Schueler, this particular Saturday morning was meant for service, not sleeping in.
An integral part of the character-building aspect of JROTC is giving back to the school and community. For this particular labor-centered philanthropy, the South cadets stayed close to home, picking up debris and other unsightly items from the expansive campus, including the playing fields, on Hollywood Drive.
“I’m proud that these kids are willing to come out and spend their Saturday picking up trash,” noted Lieutenant Colonel Vasquez. “Typically, we do this before Eighth Grade Parent Night to make the school grounds look better. But since we haven’t been able to do a lot of in-person activities, we still wanted to make the area look good.”
“It’s great to get the kids out in this beautiful day to help make the area a little more beautiful,” added First Sergeant Schueler. “A big part of our program is community service, and we take that seriously.”
Equipped by large plastic bags, tools such as rakes and shovels, and most importantly, upbeat attitudes, the Colt Cadets embraced the opportunity to beautify the school grounds while logging some quality time with fellow cadets.
“It’s nice to make and experience the new relationships,” said Cadet Major Yessly Parra, a junior. “But it’s about giving back: we like giving back and we’re always happy to do it.”
It was Cadet Major Parra’s duty to ensure that the cadets stayed on course while still enjoying the socialization aspect offered through the cleanup.
It was a message that resonated with the facemasked and gloved Colts.
“I like to get out and help the community: especially by keeping it clean and nice-looking,” offered sophomore Timothy Ferry, a second lieutenant. “And with everyone being here, it’s just really fun to do. As cadets, we are all about giving back.”
For Second Lieutenant Ferry, JROTC is providing him with a multitude of benefits.
“When I come of age, I want to enlist in the military,” he explained. “But I’m also doing this to help improve my character: to be a better person and give back to everyone.”
Corporal Sarai Sanchez, a junior, said there is strength in numbers.
“I like to get into a group to bring change to the community,” she said. “The work isn’t hard at all. In fact, it’s fun: as long as you have the right people with you. It makes for good memories.”
Like Timothy Ferry, Chelsea Ramos is a sophomore second lieutenant.
“We need more people to help out with our school and be more involved,” she said. “This community needs more people who are doing good things, because it seems like it’s getting less and less.”
Like Corporal Sanchez, Second Lieutenant Ramos said good company makes for good work.
“It’s not hard at all when you’re with people you love,” she noted.
Private Mo Davis, a sophomore, said fond remembrances can be made in the most unlikely of places.
“We’re cleaning up the parking lot and making memories,” Private Davis said. “What kind of memories? The fun kind, hopefully. In times like these, we don’t really get out much. So if you’re doing something good while you’re out, that’s a win-win in my book.”
The South cadets’ service to community includes providing a color guard for various events, having a presence in parades, and participation in SRDA’s Rake-up Pueblo, as examples.
“It’s about teaching the kids commitment to the community they are a part of,” Lieutenant Colonel Vasquez said. “They aren’t just hiding out in the school but rather, getting out amongst the people and doing things.”