From left: Trenton Central High School JROTC members Oscar Mendoza, Doris Marroquin, Susan Morales and Jonnathan Martinez. (LA Parker/The Trentonian)

As another school year comes to a close (although local classes should continue year-round), a shout out to Trenton Central High School JROTC.

On January 12, members of this organization presented their typical display of the U.S. flag and colors when they visited Hopewell Valley High School for a boys basketball game.

Just to be clear, if you attend an event just for the sake of it, you may miss out on important insights. Basketball games are great people-watching opportunities. So Darren “Freedom” Green announced the procession and the JROTC members proudly filed into the gym.

You should have seen the admiring faces of the parents of the basketball players and other adult fans at Hopewell Valley High School. Nowhere else in Mercer County does a student organization display its national pride in such a wonderful way.

Fast forward to May 8, when the Trenton High JROTC introduced itself in the Trenton City Council chambers, senior Victor Tejada's face was filled with excitement.

“I'm going to be an infantryman. Active duty. I've been waiting for this for four years, ever since I joined the school's JROTC program,” Tejada said.

“On July 8, I'm leaving for Fort Jackson (Columbia, SC). This is something I've dreamed of and now it's coming true.”

If you graduated from Trenton Central High School, go out and pursue your dreams. And if you believe this nation can be better – and in many ways it can – then you are the agent.

LA Parker is a columnist for the Trentonian. Find him on Twitter at @LAParker6 or by email at [email protected].