The declaration has been made: the second United States Coast Guard (USCG) Junior Leadership Program in the nation will begin next year at Camden County High School and CamTech High School. A special signing ceremony has brought a lot of attention to the two schools and made for one of the busiest days the school has seen in a long time on April 19th. A special event was held with numerous dignitaries taking part in the official declaration of the program. Among those leading the event included The Honorable Walter B. Jones, U.S. Representative from North Carolina who worked to have the program accepted by Congress, Rear Admiral Wayne Justice, Camden Superintendent Ron Melchiorre, Board of Education Chairperson Terri Faison, and other distinguished members of the board, along with various Coast Guard Captains and personnel, and community representatives. Camden County is only the second location for a high school program of this magnitude behind one in Miami, Florida.

Junior Michael Hughes said that he is very excited about this program and has already signed to be in it next year. “I plan to follow through with a military career in the Army after I graduate. I’m looking forward to this experience and all the leadership skills that will be taught next year at Camden County High School.”

Mr. Hawkins, Camden County High School principal, said this program has been in the works for four years now and has finally reached a Memorandum of Understanding, as well as the funding requirements to support it. “This will be a great opportunity for many students that have potential to be leaders in areas other than sports and already available clubs. This will also provide more competition,” said Hawkins. One important aspect of the class will be learning drills and marches and therefore, students will have marching competitions to attend.

According to officials, the new USCG Junior Leadership program will be a great opportunity for the school and is not just for students interested in joining the Coast Guard. The program is anticipated to open up many doors for many students interested in any military service after high school, or even college-bound students with ambitions of leadership. Camden County will lead the nation with this new program, being it’s one of the first programs of its kind.