Power tower

Junior ROTC high school students experienced Wright State University Army ROTC activities and campus life during three days of training hosted by the Wright State Army ROTC Raider Battalion and the Columbus Recruiting Battalion.

“They’ve got some tough decisions to make in the next couple of years,” said Lt. Col. Anthony Gonzalez, professor of military science at Wright State. “We just want to help them make that decision and at least see Wright State and the fun things that we do here.

The group of 120 high school students faced their fears by climbing up and rappelling down the 51-foot tower located on Achilles Hill, adjacent to Nischwitz Stadium.

“I was shaking a little bit when seeing how high it was,” said Ethan Bui, a junior at Bellbrook High School. “The instructors helped me calm down and were trustworthy.”

Students also participated in the Wright State Challenge Course, which facilitates the development of leadership skills, mutual respect, fair play and sportsmanship. For lunch, students were provided MREs or Meal, Ready to Eat, which are self-contained, military-specifications rations.

“I’ve brought some of my sophomores and juniors out who are interested in pursuing ROTC in the future, and hopefully this gets them more interested,” said Christine Gangaware, Air Force Junior ROTC instructor at Bellbrook High School. “They’re having a great time.”