Andrea Puentes is a hardworking and impressive senior here at Ball High School who is a proud member of the JROTC program. Puentes ranks as the S-1 for the Ball High Tornado Battalion, an administrative assistant position where she takes on the daunting task of maintaining all records and personal files of every cadet in the program. Puentes carries great responsibility in this position, which she has worked diligently to achieve.

Puentes went on to participate in many parades, military drills, and physical fitness as well as learning leadership lessons from others in the program and even lending a helping hand in community service. Being a member of the special staff, she was then picked to be on the JROTC main staff for the upcoming year.

Puentes took this as an opportunity to learn and experience new things which provided her with long lasting friendships and information, stating, ¨It forced me to leave my comfort zone, helped me learn leadership/life skills, and helped me gain valuable friendships. ¨ Additionally, she joined the orienteering team and although she never won a contest, she competed fiercely and enjoyed orienteering.

Equally important, Puentes noted that this year in JROTC she had to take part in JPA (program for accreditation), and through the many stressful and demanding days, it was all worth it when they got the title of honor unit with distinctions. They earned an astonishing 97.5%.

Puentes is satisfied with her career in JROTC, remarking, ¨It’s something I’m very proud of, and proud of all the cadets who took part in it. ¨

After all the perseverance and dedication, she has put into this program, which she initially joined to fill her schedule, Puentes will undoubtedly go on to use the insight and capabilities gained to thrive in whatever environment life throws her way.