Marjory Stoneman Douglas Girls’ JROTC Team Prepares for National Competition in Kentucky

by David Volz October 2, 2026

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Marjory Stoneman Douglas Girls' JROTC Team Prepares for National Competition in Kentucky 4

Mark Anders, Reagan Anders, Samantha Tye. {David Volz}

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School Girls’ JROTC team is preparing to travel to a national JROTC Raiders competition in Fort Knox, Kentucky, in late October.

“The girls’ team has done very well in local competitions, and we are looking forward to competing against the female JROTC programs from other states,” said Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Mark Anders, Senior Army Instructor for the Army JROTC program.

The Eagles girls’ team finished in first place at a recent Raiders competition at Western High School. They competed in physical challenges such as the tire flip, three-mile team run, rope bridge, and litter carry. “Our girls’ team is doing very well, and I think we can finish in the top five at the competition in Kentucky,” said Anders.

A key goal of JROTC is to teach leadership, and many of the girls’ team members lead in various ways at MSD. Reagan Anders, Mark’s daughter, leads in JROTC and plays on the flag football team. She is involved in athletic training and helps the athletic trainers at football games and has a 4.4 grade point average.

“We are all very motivated, and being a member of JROTC has been a very positive experience. We all learned valuable life lessons through the program,” she said.

Samantha Tye is a company first sergeant and enjoys leading in JROTC. “I work to be a very motivating and uplifting leader, and I love being a part of the Raiders,” said Tye. She enjoys studying math, is involved in athletic training, and has a 4.4 grade point average.

The National Raider Challenge takes place from October 22-25 in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Cadets will compete in events such as the rope bridge, RX rescue, 5K run, and strength test, according to the Challenge website.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.