Author: VICTOR APONTE

On August 6, 2026, the SLW Centennial High School’s Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Company’s Top Staff members participated in SLW Centennial High School’s Open House. They set up an information table to introduce students and families to the NJROTC program. The table included flyers and information about the Naval Science Course and class, after-school activities, and opportunities available through the program. The Top Staff three cadets are the unit’s Commanding Officer (CO), Cadet Lieutenant Commander Brandon Ramirez, the unit’s Executive Officer (XO), Cadet Lieutenant Deanna Simpson, and the Command Senior Chief (CSC) Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Brody Nestler. They … Read More

The SLW Centennial High School’s Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Company held its Annual End of the Year Awards Night Ceremony on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, in the school’s auditorium. The “Awards Night” Ceremony provides the opportunity for highly motivated and detailed oriented cadets a chance to be recognized by the unit for their stellar performance through out the school year. Multiple Community Veteran Organizations attended our event to present awards to selected Cadets for their achievements in Leadership, Academics, and Physical Fitness. Over 30 individual awards and 4 scholarships were presented!   Congratulations to the following Cadets from the Black … Read More

The SLW Centennial Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Company traveled to Riverview, Florida near the Tampa area to compete in the Spoto High School’s NJROTC Florida Area 11/12 Drill State Championships on Saturday, March 7, 2026. They competed against 18 other top ranked NJROTC units from all over the state of Florida who also qualified for the Drill State’s Championships drill events throughout the school year. The Black Talon Unit earned the following accolades: 6th Place in Academics 6th Place in Armed Basic Drill And please give a huge congratulations to Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Andrew Witz-Schaffer, for earning the … Read More

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the SLW Centennial High School’s Navy JROTC took a field trip to the Cape Canaveral Coast Guard Station to visit their Command and Control Center and tour the United States Coast Guard Cutter “SKIPJACK”. The cadets were able to ask questions about the Coast Guard Station’s operations, area of responsibility, and career opportunities.  They were able to walk through working areas of the Cutter as well as don some of the equipment used to during rescue operations. They were also able to board and “operate” the Coast Guard’s smaller operations vessels used for nautical interventions. … Read More

Florida District 21 Congressman Brian Mast visited the SLW Centennial High School’s Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Company last Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The visit stemmed from the NJROTC “Black Talon” unit competing and WINNING the Congressman Brian Mast’s Cadet Competition, which was held on the grounds of the Navy Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, back on October 18, 2026. The Centennial “Black Talon” NJROTC Team competed against 7 other JROTC units including the Sea Cadets, Treasure Coast HS AFJROTC, and Martin County HS AFJROTC, for the opportunity and honor of carrying Congressman Brian Mass’ Guideon and unit streamer for … Read More

Congratulations to the SLW Centennial High School’s Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Drill Competition Team! They competed in the Lake Howell “Silverhawk Showdown” Drill Competition in Winter Park, Florida on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 against multiple other NJROTC units from all over Central Florida. Navy Drill Competition Field Meets have multiple events that individual school unit drill teams compete in.  These events include an Academic Test, 5 separate drill events, Push-Ups, Curl-Ups, a 16x100Yard relay, and a Personnel Uniform Inspection.  All in all, there are 13 separate trophies that can be earned at Navy JROTC Drill Competitions. Congratulations to the Black … Read More

The SLW Centennial Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Company competed in the Cypress Creek NJROTC Drill Competition on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Navy Drill Competition Field Meets have multiple events that individual school unit drill teams compete in.  These events include an Academic Test, 5 separate drill events, Push-Ups, Curl-Ups, a 16x100Yard relay, and a Personnel Uniform Inspection.  All in all, there are 13 separate trophies that can be earned at Navy JROTC Drill Competitions. Congratulations to the Black Talon Drill Competition Team! They won the following awards at the Cypress Creek Drill Competition: 2nd Place in Academics (Trophy) 2nd Place … Read More

  The SLW Centennnial High School participated in the St. Lucie County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Monday, January 19, 2026.  The parade originates on the corner of MLK Boulevard and I Avenue in Fort Pierce. All participants walk about 2 miles and finish near Lawnwood. It’s always an honor and a pleasure for the Navy JROTC to lead the SLW Centennial High School’s progression in the parade. This year the Navy JROTC seperated their company into four individual Platoons with each having their own Platoon Commander giving commands and cadences to their individual platoons. We look forward … Read More

The SLW Centennial Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Academic Team traveled to Bayside High School in Palm Bay, Florida to compete in the Bayside NJROTC Area 11/12 Florida State Brain Brawl Academic Championship on Saturday, January 24th, 2026, to compete against 32 other NJROTC teams from all over the state of Florida. The “Black Talon” Team Alpha consisted of c/PO2 Andrew Witz-Schaffer, c/LT Brandon Ramirez, c/CPO Jacob Ramos, and c/CPO Eli Ross. They made it the first three rounds through the Quarter-Finals, survived the Semi-Finals and almost made it to the Finals! They finished in 6th Place out of 32 teams! … Read More

The SLW Centennial Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Company traveled to Mayport, Florida on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. They started the tour by being escorted aboard the USS John Basilone (DDG 122). The USS Basilone is an active Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer commissioned on November 9, 2024, in New York City. The ship was named after Marine Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, a Medal of Honor recipient, it is the second ship to bear his name. The vessel is based in Mayport, Florida, and honors a legacy of service.  Afterwards the unit went to the base Galley to eat at the facility … Read More

The SLW Centennial High School’s Navy JROTC visited Oviedo High School near Orlando Florida to participate in the NJROTC Area 11/12 Florida States Air Rifle Championships on Friday, December 5th, 2025.   The Air Rifle Championships are open to participating NJROTC programs that have an active Marksmanship Program.  The participants shoot at targets that are 33 feet or 10 meters away.  They submit targets for the three positions that they shoot in.  Those positions are Kneeling, Prone (laying down), and Standing. SLW Centennial NJROTC “Black Talon” Company competitors were cadet Lieutenant Brandon Ramirez, cadet First Class Petty Officer Jacob Ramos, … Read More

On Thursday, December 4th, 2025, the SLW Centennial High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Navy Eagles “Black Talon” Company conducted its Annual Military Inspection (AMI) in the school’s gymnasium. The AMI is an inspection conducted annually by a Navy representative to ensure that each NJROTC unit is operating at and maintaining the Navy’s standards. The AMI consists of a Personnel Inspection, a Unit Area Inspection, and is followed by a formal military ceremony, called the “Pass-in-Review”.   This year’s official party included the Inspecting Officer Captain Peter Petrelis (US Navy Ret.), SLW Centennial High School Principal Mrs. … Read More

The SLW Centennials High School’s Navy JROTC performed Color Guard duties at Indian River State College (IRSC) Veteran’s Job Fair held at their on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at their Pruitt Campus. The Color Guard was performed by Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Deanna Simpson (Left Rifleman), Cadet Lieutenant Brandon Ramirez (Color Guard Commander Ensign Flagman), Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Payton Brown (USMC Flagman), and Cadet Petty Officer First Class Jacob Ramos (Right Rifleman). The Color Guard was honored to perform for IRSC for this event. IRSC hosted multiple Veteran’s during their event that were able to share their … Read More

The SLW Centennial High School’s Navy JROTC participated in multiple Veterans Day Ceremonies.  The Color Guard Team was comprised of Cadet Petty Officer First Class Jacob Ramos (Right Rifleman), Cadet Lieutenant Brandon Ramos (Ensign Flagman Color Guard Commander), Cadet Third Class Petty Officer Andrew Witz-Schaffer (USMC Flagman), Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Brody Neslter, and Cadet Petty Officer Second Class Zoey Fletcher (Left Rifleman). The first Color Guard event was at the PGA Village where a Veterans Day Brunch was hosted in honor of Congressman Brian Mast.  The cadets met the Congressman and were ask to stay for brunch and … Read More

Congratulations to the SLW Centennial NJROTC Academic Team! They competed in the Nova Brain Brawl on Saturday, November 8th, 2025, against 16 other NJROTC teams. Team Alpha consisted of c/PO3 Andrew Witz-Schaffer, c/LT Brandon Ramirez, c/PO1 Jacob Ramos, c/PO1 Eli Ross, and c/SN Noah Lucuara. They made it through the Quarter-Finals, survived the Semi-Finals and made it all the way to the Finals and finished in 3rd Place and are coming home with the 3rd Place. Bravo Team consisted of c/PO2 Nolan Hamel, c/PO3 Cameron Pecci, c/PO2 Brody Nestler, c/PO2 Payton Brown, and c/SR Mackenzie Chapman. They made it through … Read More

  Congratulations to the SLW Centennial NJROTC Academic Team! They competed in the Cooper City Brain Brawl on Saturday, October 25th, 2025, against 16 other NJROTC teams. Team Alpha consisted of c/PO3 Andrew Witz-Schaffer, c/LT Brandon Ramirez, c/PO1 Jacob Ramos, c/PO1 Eli Ross, and c/SN Noah Lucuara. They made it through the Quarter-Finals, survived the Semi-Finals and made it all the way to the Finals and finished in 2nd Place and are coming home with the 2nd Place Plaque! Bravo Team consisted of c/PO2 Nolan Hamel, c/PO3 Cameron Pecci, c/PO2 Brody Nestler, c/SR Michael Triana, and c/SR Mackenzie Chapman. They … Read More

  Congratulations to the SLW Centennial High School Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Navy Eagle Company!  They competed on Saturday, October 18th, 2025, in the Congressman Brian Mast Cadet Competition on the grounds of the Navy Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida.  The Centennial “Black Talon” NJROTC Team competed against 7 other JROTC units to include the Sea Cadets, Treasure Coast HS AFJROTC, and Martin County HS AFJROTC, for the opportunity and honor of carrying Congressman Brian Mass’ Guidon for the 2025-2026 school year. The Cadet Competition consisted of several events that included Personnel Uniform Inspection, Color Guard Drill, as well … Read More

  Congratulations to St. Lucie West Centennial High School’s Navy JROTC “Black Talon” Navy Eagles Company, who earned the Distinguished Unit designation Award! Every year, the “Distinguished Unit” designation or “Award” is awarded annually to schools whose NJROTC Program ranks in the top 30 percent of the programs in each NJROTC area.  Competing units are ranked according to the degree of excellence attained in Administration, Academic Performance, Military Proficiency, and host school support, to include outstanding dedication from the cadets and staff in the NJROTC program. This is the 7th consecutive year in which the SLW Centennial Navy JROTC program … Read More

Congratulations to the SLW Centennial HS Navy JROTC Black Talon Company!  On Saturday, September 27th, 2025, the area High School JROTC teams from the Treasure Coast went head to head to win this year’s title of The Do-You-Give-A-Ruck Freedom Festival and Memorial Ruck March Cadet Competition. Each team was charged with completing a 3.43 Mile Ruck (or backpack March) at an average of 15.00 minute mile pace, carrying an average load of 25-35 lbs each. The SLW Centennial HS NJROTC provided a Color Guard before the festivities began. This year, our competitors decided to go that extra mile and carry … Read More

The SLW Centennial HS Navy JROTC honored the souls that were lost during the Patriot Day Ceremony on September 11, 2025.  The Ceremony was conducted at 8:00am at which time the company was brought to attention and the Company Commanding Officer, c/LCDR Brittany Burke.  She had the company “Present Arms” (salute) as the Ensign (United States Flag) was raised by the Flag Detail. The Flag Detail, c/SN Cameron Pecci and c/SN Jess Fasci, and the Flag Detail Commander, c/PO3 Angel Flannigan, raised the Ensign slowly to the top of the Flag Mast and then slowly brought it down to half-mast … Read More