On Saturday, Sept. 30, the Bogalusa High School Jr. ROTC Raider Platoon won first place at the Lakeshore High School Raider Challenge, held at Camp Villere in Slidell.

The Lumberjack Raiders showed exemplary thrive and perseverance in the will to defend their title as reigning U.S. Army Northshore Raider District Champions.

The remaining Raider Challenge events are: the Salmen High School Raider Challenge on Oct. 14, the Fontainebleu High School Raider Challenge on Oct. 28, the Lumberjack Raider Challenge on Nov. 4 and the Raider State Championship hosted by LSU on Nov. 18.

The Raider Platoon is an elite team of Jr. ROTC cadets that volunteer and are selected to participate in a rigorous physical and mental competition called Raider Challenge. Endorsed by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the Northshore District competitions consist of five outdoor physical events: 5K team run, Raider fitness test, obstacle course, cross-country rescue and one-rope bridge.

Raider Challenge educates the cadets on the importance of teamwork (being part of something that is bigger than yourself), physical fitness, mental toughness and overcoming adversity.

The overarching lesson learned by the Bogalusa Jr. ROTC Raiders is that in order to accomplish life’s goals, the necessary ingredients are hard work, commitment, focus and perseverance. There is no doubt the Raiders earned their hard fought championship through hard work. Their preparation began this past summer by executing a physical training plan at home and training after school four days a week since August.