Lakewood Cadets Earn Highest Rating

Lakewood High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps received the highest possible “outstanding” rating in all categories, according to a recently received inspection report from a U.S. Navy captain.

The inspection occurred on March 12, just one day before schools in the Long Beach Unified School District closed for in-person instruction due to the ongoing global COVID pandemic.

Evaluated categories included school system program support, administration of program, academic program, reports and records, cadet performance and student mentoring.

“NJROTC was clearly well-prepared and motivated. The pride and sense of service gave me faith in the next generation,” one inspector wrote. “These are dedicated cadets.”

Lakewood High’s Capt. Don McMackin, U.S. Navy (Retired), is the senior Naval Science teacher at the school.