For many people, November 3rd,2018 was an event for football based on the Raines
and Ribault game, but for William M. Raines, it was the day of the State Raider Meet.
This competition was a long-anticipated event starting training as early as August. The
boy Raider team was already set, with a legacy for being in the Top 4 in the competition
in the past years and even accomplishing going to state. This year was different, JROTC
has now their first all-female Raider Team to go to the competition and place in the Top
3.

For the boys, a foundation already built from past successes motivated the female
team to conquer all odds, but it wouldn't come easy. First, we had to find dedicated and
devoted cadets to participate and be apart of the event. The foundation had to be built
piece by piece and the more progress we showed the easier it became to form a team
and we had to have 10 members to qualify and compete. Both teams went through a
difficult training by building cardio and muscle and having a strong mindset with
motivation. By setting the foundation and creating the pace for the rest of the of the
school to see and the rest of cadets to follow.

The November competition took place at Union County Highschool in Lake Butler
Florida. More than fifteen teams boy, girl, and mixed came to compete. For William M.
Raines, the JROTC Raiders arrived at the school at 8:15 a.m. ready to compete and
ready to win. Before getting on the bus to go to the designated area we made a Raider
count making sure each person on the team was present that day. After the count, The
Female Team had fifteen members and the Boy Team had eleven and by 6:30 a.m. both
Raider teams were ready to leave and put the resources and motivation they've been

building since day one to the test. When both teams arrived at the location, all schools
got prepared to take on the first event and the first challenge was.The Tire Flip.

The Tire Flip is one of the utmost strength required event besides the Amo Carriers
which we’re 10-pound cans that you carry back and forth 3 times in each hand. The
Relay and the 5k run are the main events needed for cardio, building the pace of the
team and keeping that velocity of the team. Cross Country Rescue is the only event that
combines both speed and muscle to complete the task, both teams must carry over
100-pounds on a stretcher with backpacks full of equipment that's over 25-pounds per
backpack. With all the odds stacked against them the team's motivation, dedication and
teamwork is what made William M. Raines JROTC Raider Teams stand out.

At the end of the competition, The Raider Boys Team took home first place in The
Relay Challenge and The Raider Female Team placed in the Top 3. The foundation for
the Female Team has been made and is solid with true and powerful influence to guide
the leaders and the ones that follow behind. For the Boys, their legacy will continue to
live on and impact the others that continue to follow.

A Special Appreciation to the ones that helped William M. Raines JROTC Army Corps
Of Cadets make history: Dawnette Holmes, Alicia Barber, Angel Anderson, Jada
Simmons, Yamine Dyer, Shanise West, Ayanna Sherman, Harmony Setoute, Lakasha
Willis, Tamiya Jones, Briasia Dadamo, Tejah Sanders, Sania Stewart, Fourtney Lakes,
and Sylvia Kemble.

Thank You for making the foundation for other young female leaders to follow and
thank you for making the impact for other young females to learn from.