32nd Annual Navy Ball: An Evening to Remember The Nease NJROTC proudly hosted its 32nd Annual Navy Ball on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the beautiful Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. The evening was a tremendous success, bringing together cadets, families, instructors, and distinguished guests to celebrate a year of hard work, leadership, and achievement. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere reflected the pride and professionalism of the program. Cadets looked sharp in their uniforms, and the venue was transformed into an elegant setting for this time-honored tradition. Among the highlights of the evening were the inspiring remarks delivered by St. Johns County Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick, who served as the guest speaker and shared meaningful insights on leadership and service. This memorable evening would not have been possible without the dedication and support of many individuals and organizations. A special thank you goes to Christina Cummings for her outstanding leadership in organizing this event, as well as the many parent volunteers who generously gave their time to assist with setup and coordination. The cadets did an exceptional job bringing tradition to life through the POW/MIA ceremony, cake detail, sword processional, toasts, invocation, national anthem, color guard, and the efforts of the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies. It was a true pleasure to recognize and honor our senior cadets, celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to the program. We are grateful for the support of our partners who helped bring the evening to life: - Check 1, 2 DJ Services for providing music and entertainment
- Sweet Buds Floral Studio for the beautiful centerpieces and cadet flowers
- Mark Wagner and the team at Encore Global for their technical and event support
- Ken and Jenn Biggs of Superior Images for capturing the evening through professional photography
A very special thank you to the talented cadet band Ray Road, comprised of cadets Johns, Labardee, Montgomery, Scaggs, and Spence, whose performance added a unique and memorable touch to the celebration. The Navy Ball continues to be one of the most anticipated traditions of the year, highlighting the camaraderie, excellence, and spirit of the Nease NJROTC program. We are incredibly proud of our cadets and grateful for the community that supports them. Be sure to join us again next year! |
Military Signing Day Honors Nease Cadets On April 29, 2026, Allen D. Nease High School proudly celebrated Military Signing Day, recognizing an outstanding group of NJROTC cadets who have chosen to serve something greater than themselves. The ceremony highlighted not only their academic and leadership achievements, but their commitment to a life of service. As Chief Warrant Officer 3 Donato shared during the event, “Service is not a word, but a responsibility.” That message resonated throughout the ceremony as each cadet took the next step toward a future in the United States Armed Forces. This year’s honorees include: - Emma Newman — Awarded an Air Force ROTC Scholarship to the University of Florida.
- Annie Heiry — Appointed to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point.
- Audrey Jovel — Appointed to the United States Coast Guard Academy.
- Tyler Labardee — Earned a Navy ROTC Scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
- Mitchell Spore — Awarded a Navy ROTC Scholarship to the University of Florida.
- Cameron Collins — Selected for a Navy Prep ROTC Scholarship, beginning at Holy Cross College before transferring to University of Notre Dame.
Military Signing Day serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication, discipline, and character developed within the NJROTC program. Nease High School is proud of these cadets and their willingness to lead, serve, and make a lasting impact on their country. |
Awards Ceremony Celebrates Cadet Excellence What an incredible evening celebrating our cadets at this year’s Awards Ceremony! The event provided a meaningful opportunity to recognize the hard work, leadership, and dedication demonstrated by our cadets throughout the year. A wide range of awards and scholarships were presented, highlighting outstanding achievements across the unit. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was honoring our senior class as they shared their future plans and reflected on their journey through the program. We are also proud to recognize our Cadet of the Quarter and NS1 of the Quarter. Congratulations to Cadet Nathaniel Walker (NS1 of the Quarter) and Cadet Hailee Walker (Cadet of the Quarter) for their outstanding performance and leadership. Rounding out the evening was the announcement of our top staff for the beginning of the 2026–2027 school year. Congratulations to: - Cadet Sydney Lewis, Commanding Officer (CO)
- Cadet Evan Gourd, Executive Officer (XO)
- Cadet Noah Pedreiro, Command Master Chief (CMC)
- Cadet Katelyn Pitches, Operations Officer
- Cadet Zoey Wagner, Supply Officer
- Cadet Riley Willis, Administrative Officer
We extend our sincere thanks to our distinguished guests for their continued support and for presenting these meaningful awards. Your involvement makes a lasting impact on our cadets and helps inspire the next generation of leaders. It was truly a night to remember celebrating excellence, service, and the bright futures ahead for all of our cadets. |
Celebrating Our Senior Cadets We are incredibly proud of our senior class! On April 22, 2026, the CPO had the pleasure of treating our senior cadets to a special Senior Breakfast, made possible through the generous efforts of several senior parents. The morning was a meaningful opportunity to honor these outstanding cadets, reflect on their time in the program, and celebrate all they have accomplished. It was a well-deserved moment of recognition as they prepare to take their next steps. With a full calendar of senior events over the past month, the excitement continues to build. Next up, graduation! We look forward to celebrating this milestone and cheering on our seniors as they embark on their next chapter. |
4th Annual NJROTC Car Show a Huge Success The 4th Annual Nease NJROTC Car Show was an incredible success, bringing together our community for a day full of cars, camaraderie, and support for our cadets. With approximately 120 vehicles registered, this year’s event saw one of its largest turnouts yet and raised significant funds to support cadet scholarships and unit needs. From classic cars to modern builds, the show featured an impressive variety of vehicles that drew spectators from across the community. Best of all, the event remained free to attend, making it accessible for families and supporters to come out and enjoy the day while giving back in meaningful ways. Funds were raised through vehicle registrations and the generous contributions of our sponsors. Thank you to our sponsors: Morning Motor Social, Bozard Ford, Taibl Law, Douglas Law Firm, Geico, Ferrari Club of America, Shark Coatings, State Farm, Magnetix DJ Services, Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association, Milians Motorsport, and Tailored Splash Power Wash. Events like the Car Show play a vital role in sustaining our program. The money raised helps provide essential resources, opportunities, and grants that directly benefit our cadets and enhance their NJROTC experience. This event would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors, and the continued support of our families and community. Your time, effort, and enthusiasm truly made a difference. Thank you to everyone who participated, attended, and contributed to making this year’s Car Show such a memorable and impactful event. Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, February 20, 2027 for our 5th Annual Car Show! We look forward to seeing you again next year for another great day of cars, community, and cadet pride! |
Looking Ahead: 2026–2027 School Year As we look ahead with excitement to the 2026–2027 school year, preparations are already underway to ensure another successful year for our program. We are pleased to welcome our new CPO Board and are grateful for their willingness to serve and support our cadets in the year ahead. Please join us in congratulating: - Kim Gourd, President
- Robin Walker, Vice President
- Amy Alexander, Secretary
- Carrie Pedreiro, Treasurer
- Erica Hamburger, Event Coordinator
We look forward to working together to continue building a strong, supportive community for our cadets and their families. |
ACTION ITEMS: Complete Paperwork and Physicals for Next Year All cadets are required to have updated paperwork on file for the upcoming school year. - New incoming cadets must complete the Participation Forms, Custody Card, and purchase a unit polo.
- Returning cadets must complete the Returning Cadet Participation Forms.
In addition to participation forms, all cadets are required to have a current, unexpired physical on file. An easy way to complete this requirement is by attending the Nease Sports Physicals on Wednesday, May 20, from 5:30–7:00 PM in the Nease Cafeteria. Physicals are $20. CPO Board members will be on site to scan your cadet’s completed physical directly into the unit system. If your cadet does not complete their physical at the school event, they must obtain one from their physician’s office and provide a copy to the instructors for unit records. Please click the buttons below to fill out your appropriate forms. Please complete all required paperwork as soon as possible. |
BCT Coming! Order Your Cadre Shirt We are excited for Basic Cadet Training (BCT), taking place on campus August 3–7, 2026. BCT is designed for incoming NS1 cadets and serves as an essential introduction to the core principles, expectations, and traditions of NJROTC. This training lays the foundation for a successful year ahead and helps cadets build confidence, discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills. If your returning cadet has signed up to serve as cadre during BCT, they are required to purchase a Cadre Shirt. Orders must be placed by May 22. Shirts will be distributed in July during cadre work days held the week prior to BCT. Order link below! |
Updated Spirit Store Open We’ve re-vamped our Sports Corner Spirit Wear store and it is officially OPEN for business! Grab some new gear and get ready for next school year in style. We’re excited to launch updated apparel featuring our improved logo! A huge thank you to Christin Smith for taking on the task of updating the store and helping bring the new look to life. Your hard work is greatly appreciated! Happy shopping, Cadets and families! SHOP HERE |
Last Chance for NJROTC Yearbooks! Time is running out to purchase a NJROTC yearbook! 📚 Below is a list of cadets who have already purchased a book. If your cadet is not on the list and would still like to order one, please do so ASAP before books sell out! ORDER HERE 🚨 UPDATED DEADLINE 🚨 Custom pages are now due by Tuesday, 5/26. |
Maintenance For Your Ride = Money For Our Cadets! The Nease NJROTC Boosters Club is teaming up with Grease Monkey Oil Changes & More for a new fundraiser designed to support cadets while helping community members save on car care services. The “Full Speed Ahead Fundraising Program” will run from April 27 through October 27, 2026, at participating Grease Monkey locations in St. Augustine. Community members who participate can receive discounts on services while also contributing directly to the Nease NJROTC Boosters Club. Customers who present the fundraiser flyer at checkout can choose from several options: - Save $10 on an oil change while the NJROTC Boosters Club earns $10
- Pay full price for an oil change and the Boosters Club earns $20
- Receive 10% off additional preventive vehicle services while the organization earns 10%
Participating Grease Monkey locations include: - 2110 U.S. 1, St. Augustine, FL 32086
- 2500 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092
The fundraiser provides an easy opportunity for families, alumni, and community supporters to contribute to the Nease NJROTC program while taking care of routine vehicle maintenance. Funds raised will help support cadet activities, competitions, leadership development opportunities, and program events throughout the year. Supporters are reminded to show the fundraiser flyer at checkout to ensure their visit counts toward the fundraiser. |
Upcoming Events | | Wednesday, May 6 | | | Thursday, May 7 | | | Friday, May 8 | | | | Monday, August 3 | | | Tuesday, August 4 | | | Wednesday, August 5 | | | Thursday, August 6 | | | Friday, August 7 | | | Sunday, December 6 | |
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