Shadow Ridge High School hosts a multitude of clubs and extracurricular activities. One of the most present and prominent clubs is Air Force JROTC. AFJROTC has multiple after school clubs that cadets can participate in; one of which is the Physical Fitness Team (PFT). PFT is held after school from 1:30 to 2:30, Mondays and Wednesdays. They have fixed workouts that will help prepare them for their upcoming events and competitions like the flag football tournament. They utilize the weight room at the school for strength training, track for their endurance and the soccer field for flag football practice.

Cadets can showcase their physical and mental strength and teamwork in the competitions. There are 2 teams, a team of 5 females and a team of 5 males. During PFT competitions cadets have to complete a series of exercises which include one minute of sit-ups, one minute of push ups, pull-ups, a mile run, long jump, and a shuttle run. Individuals will receive points based on what they were able to complete and will be ranked. The individual scores will contribute to the team score and their ranking.

Cadet/ Capt. Joseph Ampong, a participant on the PFT team says, “It has pushed my limits and boundaries. I have been able to accomplish so much more than I thought I could have done before.”

Breaking boundaries is important to grow as a person. Cadets are able to really see what their bodies are capable of doing as they challenge themselves on the PFT.

The Physical Fitness team participated in an all Air Force Flag Football Tournament on January 27th. The PFT team defeated Palo Verde and Durango HS but lost to Clark in the toilet bowl.

Cadet/ SMSgt. Ayvah Rossi, a tight end for the PFT flag football team says, “Learning and growing with my team helped me form friendships and made me want to try my hardest to win for my team.”

Despite their loss at the tournament, cadets put in everything they had to make their team proud.

Cadet/ 2nd Lt. Addison Wing, the PFT commander says, “We were the only team who played with no breaks,” she also says “despite our pure exhaustion, we played our hardest that game.”

The players’ dedication to their team keeps them fighting their hardest. Dedication is something that cadets in JROTC pride themselves on. They have pure dedication to their team and to their program.

“Some of my best memories and my best friends are in ROTC,” Rossi says. “If I hadn’t become a part or ROTC I absolutely would be missing out on life long friendships and experiences that will last a lifetime.”