ELKINS RECOGNIZES GEORGE ROGERS CLARK HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS
Lady Long Knives are the 2023 JROTC National Raiders Challenge Champions
FRANKFORT, KY (January 25, 2024) — On Thursday, Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, proudly celebrated the remarkable achievement of the Lady Long Knives from George Rogers Clark High School's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program. The team secured a first-place victory in the All-Services Female Division at the 2023 JROTC National Raider Challenge Championship. Elkins recognized the team's accomplishment with Senate Resolution 59 by welcoming them into the Senate chamber during floor proceedings. The full chamber recognized them and with Ekins' resolution, the Lady Long Knives' achievement will forever exist within the legislative record of the Kentucky General Assembly.
The JROTC—renowned as one of the world's largest character development and citizenship programs for youth—aims to instill values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility. George Rogers Clark High School established its own JROTC program, the Long Knives, in 2005, which has gained national recognition within the JROTC National Raider Challenge Championships.
Led by Capt. Bailey Wood and coached by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Thomas Krupp and MSgt. (Ret.) Larry Lee, the Lady Long Knives, demonstrated exceptional strength, endurance, and teamwork in the challenging competition.
The JROTC National Raider Challenge Championships, an athletic competition focusing on citizenship, leadership, and overall wellness, took place on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, in Fort Knox. The Lady Long Knives faced rigorous tests, including the one-rope bridge, 5K team race, cross-country rescue, physical team test, and gauntlet, while competing against over 2,000 teams from across the nation.
Despite treacherous mountain terrain, the Lady Long Knives claimed first place in the 5K team race and the one-rope bridge event, where they outperformed most all-male teams with an impressive time of 2:56.
In addition to their first-place finishes, the team secured third place in the cross-country rescue, fifth place in the physical team test, and seventh place in the gauntlet. This outstanding performance led to the team's overall victory in the All-Services Female Division.
In his remarks in the Senate chamber, Elkins congratulated the Lady Long Knives, their dedicated leadership, and the entire George Rogers Clark High School JROTC program for making the community, county and state proud.
Visit THIS LINK to hear Sen. Elkins' full remarks.
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Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, represents the 28th Senate District, including Bath, Clark, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties and an eastern portion of Fayette County. Elkins is a member of the Interim Joint Committees on Local Government, State Government, Families and Children, and Health Services. He is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Services. Elkins is also an Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee member.