By KEVIN SHANNAHAN, Special to the Journal

From pushups to navigation and high ropes, 40 area high school Junior ROTC Cadets got outside their comfort zones and enjoyed Northwestern State’s Army ROTC’s inaugural Demon Challenge on Friday, March 3.

The cadets spent a fun day competing in a series of events designed to test their fitness, resiliency, and leadership skills. Haughton High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC brought home some serious hardware, winning a first-place finish for two teams, one male/male and the other female/female.

The day started with cadets completing an orienteering course that took them across the NSU campus. They then went on to test their fitness in a series of timed events such as pull ups, sprint, drag, throw and planking.

The fitness testing was assisted by two certified Master Fitness Trainers from the Louisiana Army National Guard. Several members of Fort Polk’s A Battery, 5-25 FA — commanded by Captain Tanisha Bethel — graciously took time out from their duties to help with the events. Sergeant First Class Tiffany Gourdon, an NCHS alumna and local Army recruiter, proctored tests.

After a superb BBQ lunch supplied by NSU ROTC, the high school cadets competed in a two-mile ruck march where they raced in two-person teams carrying packs with 15lb weights. The teams ended their day on a high note, sampling the Demon Regiment’s high ropes course.

The Demon Challenge was a superb opportunity for our area’s young people to test themselves, learn, and grow. Both Northwestern State University and the university’s Army ROTC program represent a tremendous opportunity for young people to build a solid future for themselves.