ADAMS TWP — Mars Area School Board sat at attention Tuesday night while students in the Mars-Pine-Richland JROTC program spoke about their experiences as cadets.

Mars Area became part of the Pine-Richland JROTC program last year, when the districts decided to share resources. Mars students involved with the program attended JROTC classes at Pine-Richland several mornings a week.

Mars senior Rebecca Neiser said she became involved with the program after her mother and her guidance counselor heard about it.

“They really thought it would be a good opportunity for me to just blossom,” Rebecca said.

She said the program has taught her many skills and character traits.

“It teaches you to be humble,” Rebecca said. “If you don’t know what’s going on, you ask.”

She also said JROTC doesn’t cater to one type of student.

“Everybody’s there,” Rebecca said. “And everybody’s included.”

“I joined because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone,” said Abby King, a Mars junior. “And take a step forward and challenged myself with something new and different.”

Abby said she’s learned to be responsible, dependable and proud of her accomplishments. She’s also learned to be a confident leader.

“If I didn’t join this program, I would not be standing in front of … anybody right now,” she said. “I would be too shy.”

Mars junior Elizabeth Caldwell told the board she joined JROTC this year and has been in the program just five weeks.

She said she isn’t able to relate to many of the experiences other cadets have had. But Elizabeth joined the program because she saw a former cadet make new friends and have new opportunities.

“I wanted to have those friends,” she said. “They’re a different type of friends that you can’t have anywhere (else) in school.”

Elizabeth said she’s already had a number of opportunities she wouldn’t have had if she was involved in a different club.

Senior Michael Riggio told the board his family has a long military history.

“I’ve had family members in just about every branch, as well as about every U.S. war,” he said.

Enlisting in JROTC, Michael thought, was a good way for him to start his own military career.

“I have now lost 15 pounds to join the Air Force,” he said. “It is just such a great program.”

Though the program does require academic responsibility, Michael said it’s more than going to school. Cadets gather for Christmas and Halloween parties and spend time hanging out outside of class.

“It’s always kind of shocking when you walk in (a classroom) and something completely new is happening,” he said. “It’s always something brand new with the instructors.”

Chief Mike Gasparetto, a JROTC instructor, said cadets this year will be taking a life skills class. Some of the things they’ll learn about are savings, investments and when to use a credit card.

“I get excited about money and they get excited about money, so people just love to go to work,” Gasparetto said.

JROTC also participates in public events. This year, cadets assumed responsibility for the Mars 9/11 memorial.

District resident Frank Semper thanked the cadets for being part of the installation in front of the high school.

“It was very impressive and just very, very heartwarming to drive by,” Semper said. “Thank you.”