The Viper Vibe <![CDATA[The Viper Vibe]]> http://my.hsj.org/Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_fig4be55s44qj3552bwjpiv3_47cbebac-86fd-49f5-abda-23875feba596_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:33:50 GMT 15 <![CDATA[Every Viper Has a Tale]]> By Amilynn Soto/Graphics Editor

photo courtesy of Valentina Usquiano
Valentina Usquiano (standing), reports in with her unarmed exhibition team at the Sanction Field Meet held at Charles W. Flanagan High School.

Valentina Usquiano All of the qualifications and characteristics that a perfect member of the NJROTC should embody can be found in the one and only Valentina Usquiano. Starting her journey through the program as a nervous, young, cadet, Usquiano has evolved to represent something more than just your average member.     “I’m a lieutenant and also the commanding officer of the unit which means I’m the highest in command of the unit,” said Usquiano.     Most students don’t really know the entirety of what the NJROTC program does. As far as work, Usquiano has most of the workload to complete.     “I get instructions from the instructors on what should get done by the end of the week or month and then I pass those orders on to the executive officer,” said Usquiano.     If things aren’t running smoothly, Usquiano will be held responsible and she will hear about it from the instructors.     Some wonder why anyone would even want to join a program that demands so much from students when it isn’t a requirement. Yet the NJROTC is much more enjoyable than most pay attention to.     “It’s just like any other group or club. You have your groups and you have the people having fun; we’re still kids no matter what. We still mess around whatever chance we get. But we know we have a job to perform,” said Usquiano.     As much as Usquiano was enthused to join the program as a freshman, her family rejected the idea.     “My family was never for it. They thought I was going to war, you’re going to join. But I said no, I want to try it out. I want to try something new; I want to try something different,” said the senior.     Usquiano explained that the NJROTC program is more than just flailing rifles, marching around school, and doing pushups, which apparently is something they don’t do often.     “Our program is mainly about citizenship and leadership. It’s not a military program. A lot of people believe that it is but it’s more of they teach us how to be good citizens the moment we graduate and when we get out of high school,” said Usquiano.     Usquiano has learned so much through this program. Skills ranging from public speaking to self motivation and although she is happy to leave high school and enter the real world, Usquiano leaves with bittersweet memories of Felix Varela.     “It’s going to be sad leaving the program but they’ve prepared us for it every single year. Since our freshmen year, they’ve prepared us to get out there and do the best we can,” she said. ]]> Fri, 29 May 2009 19:43:17 GMT