My name is Jacob Johnson who has been part of the JROTC corp for over four years. I've invested my time, energy, and passion into this program because I believe in its mission - "To motivate young people to become better citizens."

Our school's decision to remove this corp is not just a blow to me personally, but it also contradicts what we as students strive for. The JROTC program has been instrumental in shaping us into responsible and civic-minded individuals. It's more than just a course; it's an integral part of our education that fosters leadership skills, discipline, and character development.

According to the U.S Army Cadet Command (USACC), 40% of high schools nationwide have JROTC programs. These programs have proven beneficial in improving students' academic performance and increasing graduation rates (National Defense Authorization Act Report). In Yakima alone, numerous testimonials from past participants highlight the positive impact of our local JROTC corp.

By removing this program from our school curriculum, we are denying future students these valuable opportunities for personal growth and citizenship development. We urge the principal and school board members to reconsider their decision.

Please sign this petition if you believe in preserving the integrity of our education system by keeping the JROTC corp at our school. Let's stand together for better citizens!