JACKSON TWP — When students compete in sports, the audience generally is loud and crazy.

However, for the 200 students who participated in a JROTC drill competition Saturday at Seneca Valley Middle School, the audience was silent.

Maj. Mark Carrington, who is in charge of the Butler High School JROTC, said this creates an added level of stress for competitors.

“It’s really impressive,” Carrington said.

The event was hosted by the Seneca Valley JROTC. In addition to Butler and Seneca Valley, JROTC students from Beaver, Albert Gallatin, Valley, Trinity and Connellsville participated.

Drills included color guard, platoon inspection and different armed and unarmed marching drills.

Carrington said participating in the program teaches students certain skills.

“The number one thing they get out of this is confidence in themselves,” Carrington said.

He said it teaches discipline and the participating students who come from all different backgrounds find common ground and work together.

Junior Alex Kennedy, 16, of Connoquenessing was one of 23 Butler JROTC students at the competition. This is his third year in JROTC.

“It seemed like a fun program to join,” Alex said.

He participated in four drills on Saturday.

“It’s very nerve-racking,” Alex said.

However, he said it ultimately is rewarding. He was thinking of joining the Air Force when he graduates.

Jacob Zangas, 15, of Butler was one of only two freshmen from Butler competing.

“I’m a fast learner, I think,” Jacob said.

Although competing is stressful, he said the best thing to do is realize you are doing the same activities you practiced for and zone out the audience.

He has a family history of military participation, with his father attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Marines and his stepfather being a former Army Ranger. Jacob is interested in joining the Marines.

Both of senior Anchor Losch’s parents were in the Navy, and she has been in JROTC since she got to high school.

“I’ve wanted to be in the military for as long as I can remember,” Anchor, 18, of Butler Township, said.

This is her second time in a JROTC competition. She also plays lacrosse, but said the silence during JROTC makes both activities completely different.

“It’s incredibly stressful,” Anchor said.

She has been accepted to four military academies: U.S. Military Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. She is waiting to hear back from the Naval Academy.

She is deciding which one she wants to go to.

“It’s less about school and more about serving,” Anchor said.

For Seneca Valley, junior Adam Szwaczkowski, 17, of Evans City is the drill commander. He was in charge of most of the drilling events the team participated in Saturday.

He said that JROTC has helped him grow and he has become more confident.

“I enjoy it,” said Adam, who is interested in joining the Navy.

Junior Dominic Bianchi, 16, of Evans City was in his first competition. He said this type of event is stressful, but really is just like any other competition at heart. This is his third year in JROTC.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot,” Dominic said.