This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
On Saturday, Jan. 4, the Tribune published a column on the current situation of Junior ROTC programs in the state of Utah ("At risk ROTC program may move to charter school," Rolly). The article stated the East High School JROTC program has been closed. This information is incorrect.
I'm a student of East High School and the cadet battalion commander of the East High JROTC program. The decision has not yet been finalized and there is much discussion about a private or district-funded program in the Salt Lake City School District. We cadets see this program as worth fighting to keep. The final decision has not yet been reached.
East High's JROTC is known as the first in the West, started in 1914. This legacy is not taken for granted, and we the cadets of the program are going to do whatever we can to keep that legacy going. There may be changes, but this is something that we cannot let die.
Cadet Lt. Col. Darrel Atkin Jr.
Salt Lake City