To prepare for their biannual barbecue, NJROTC is asking cadets in the program to sell tickets and for their parents to donate supplies. The fundraiser will be held on Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the student parking lot.

Plates for the barbecue cost $10 and feature two sausage wraps, chips, and a drink. The  Senior Naval Science Instructor of the NJROTC program, Adan Nieto, discussed the best ways to purchase from the event.

“The cadets are running around selling tickets. So if you know a cadet, you can ask for tickets and buy from them,” Nieto said. “And then we over-purchase food so people can drive up and buy plates.”

The goal for this Barbecue is to sell 2,000 plates and raise $13,000 after the costs of buying supplies. Money earned by the barbecue fund the formal dance held specifically for JROTC cadets, the Military Ball. The event is held at Magnolia Halle and features a catered buffet-style dinner, a photo booth, decorated tables, a royal court election and a formal attire dress code.

“I believe the military ball is probably the most exciting, stress-free event in the entire program,” Battalion Commander Mia Escalante said. “I think it’s a great way to kind of just come together, and you could really see the morale and commitment of these cadets. We just have a great time together.”

Besides paying for the Military Ball, the barbecue money pays for the traveling costs of competitions, like plane tickets or hotel reservations.

“Last year, some of the money was used to send our physical fitness team to the competition in Daytona, Florida,”  Nieto said. “The boys’ team placed fourth in the nation.”

To raise the most money possible and guarantee success for the barbecue, cadets are focusing on communicating well within the program. 

“We’re making sure that platoon leaders are kind of giving that communication to their upperclassmen as well as the freshmen by giving them a time to be at the event, as well as what gear to wear, and just making sure that they sell their tickets,” Escalante said. “And they find certain accommodations for them if they have some sort of problem.”

The NJROTC staff has already started a new Cashapp to address payment problems this year. Creative problem solving is necessary to give the cadets the experience, funds, and new outlook they receive from the barbecue. 

“The barbecue’s impacted me by making me want to give back to the community,” Escalante said. “It’s really nice seeing everybody just buying all the plates, and being able to see a smile on their face, and just them being happy to even give back to us. It’s what makes me joyous to even be a part of NJROTC.”