Two cadets from Northeast Lauderdale High School’s Navy Junior ROTC program got to tour the U.S. Naval Academy up close recently as participants in its INSPIRE Program.

Still in its infancy, the INSPIRE Program brings together prospective midshipmen from around the country to give them a deeper

understanding of what life is like at the U.S. Naval Academy. It is a way for the admissions office to identify candidates who are prepared to meet the academy’s rigorous academic, athletic and leadership requirements.

Representing Northeast in the INSPIRE Program, held at the Naval Academy from Nov. 7-9 in Annapolis, Maryland, were Cadet Zachary Boyd and Cadet Jennifer Simmons, both seniors. Boyd is the son of Takiyah Boyd of Marion and Lorne Boyd of Meridian. Simmons is the daughter of Antoinette Simmons of Daleville.

“The INSPIRE program happens twice a year in the fall and in the spring. The USNA Admissions Office will identify the best qualified applicants and invite them to participate in the program. All expenses to travel and stay are paid by the USNA,” said Northeast senior naval science instructor retired Cmdr. Chad West.

“It’s really remarkable that two Northeast NJROTC cadets were selected for the program,” he said. “It speaks well of Jennifer and Zac in both their character and academic achievements.”

While attending the INSPIRE Program, Boyd and Simmons were paired with a host plebe midshipman, or first year student at the Naval Academy, who they shadowed from Thursday evening until Saturday morning. They went to class, slept in the barracks, ate meals, and participated in formations and physical training along with their plebe host.

West said it was a really valuable experience for both students to see what life is like at the U.S. Naval Academy as they are making their future plans for life after high school.

In other Northeast Navy JROTC news, the unit recently went through its annual military inspection before military guests, family members and school officials in the Northeast High School gymnasium.

West said the unit’s 68 cadets passed inspection and did extremely well but the final inspection report has yet to be released.

“This year’s inspection went remarkably well with improvements noted in every area. The cadets did a terrific job demonstrating their military knowledge, drill proficiency and performance of administrative duties,” he said.

West said the students put in a tremendous amount of work preparing for the inspection.

“It’s the single most important event during the school year and will have a significant impact on where they will rank among the 27 high school NJROTC programs within our area of competition,” he said.

The Northeast unit, which is run by Senior Chief Kent Malone and West, began in 1970 and is one of only 12 high school Navy Junior ROTC programs still active in Mississippi. Altogether, 84 Junior ROTC programs are spread out among schools across the state, including 51 Army ROTC units, 15 Air Force and six Marine Corps programs.

The Northeast program has consistently ranked among the top 10% units in the Southeast.