By Mary O’KEEFE

Treasures are being gathered and readied for the JROTC Annual Rummage Sale this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crescenta Valley High School cafeteria.

The funds from the rummage sale go to support the Crescenta Valley High School JROTC program.

Members of JROTC can been seen at special events like Veteran’s Day celebration, Memorial Day services and most recently marching down Honolulu Avenue to begin the Montrose Christmas Parade.

Like most organizations JROTC must raise funds to support field trips, special events and an end of the year banquet.

The program has about 70 members including those in classes.  It is an Air Force program however it is not a recruiting tool for the military, said Lt. Col. Dave Worley, mentor/teacher at CVHS JROTC. I

It is a leadership program that uses Air Force techniques as a foundation for training, he added.

Student Ben Marchman said he is not interested in the military but has found value in JRTOC.

“I was really shy when I started at [CVHS].  I didn’t speak up for myself,” Marchman added.

He credits the leadership and responsibility training he has received while a JROTC cadet as giving him the courage and confidence to now speak up and share his opinions.

It has not always been easy to justify his choice of becoming a cadet with his friends but, he said, after awhile his friends came around.

“I get a sense of pride from belonging to [JROTC] and from doing a good job at events,” he added.

The rummage sale is a combined effort of over 75 families and will open its doors at 7 a.m.

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