The Pvt. Billie G. Kanell JROTC Battalion has qualified to vie in the 2026 Leadership & Academic Bowl Championship for the first time in the 29-year history of the Poplar Bluff High School program.
The academic team—comprised of Ayema Ahsan, Levi Ferguson, Jackson Kennedy and Hattie Scobey, with Victoria Pennell serving as alternate—will compete alongside approximately 100 high schools across the country and beyond in June at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
“The cadets deserve all the credit for this accomplishment; they are some of the brightest students in Poplar Bluff High School,” said JROTC instructor Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Roderick, who further commended Gail Karlish, Academic Team adviser. “The foundation she laid for the cadets during their daily practice empowered them to succeed. I just had to point them at the target and keep them moving forward.”
The academic portion of the online competition tested cadets on core subjects including math, science and language arts as well as knowledge outside the classroom like current events, financial literacy and critical thinking under time pressure, according to the press release from the College Options Foundation, the long-time event organizer.
The release goes on to characterize the JLAB Championship as one of the most prestigious competitions exclusively for JROTC cadets, gathering the nation's most driven student leaders. Eligibility reflects months of preparation, discipline, teamwork and the kind of leadership development the program aims to cultivate.
“The cadets have set a remarkable standard for excellence at Poplar Bluff High School,” said PBHS Principal Dr. Valerie Ivy, noting that qualifying in their division was a long-sought goal. “To see our cadets emerge from a global field of over 5,000 teams to secure one of the few spots at the national championship in Washington, D.C., is an incredible honor for not only PBHS but for our entire community.”
Following the semi-final round, when the PBHS JROTC challenges 31 other U.S. Army-sponsored programs, the top team will vie against the first-place winners of the Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy in the joint service finale. For over two decades, the COF has supported the academic growth of JROTC cadets through competitions, college-readiness resources, exam-preparation tools and admissions guidance.
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Cutline: (From left) Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Roderick, Ayema Ahsan, Levi Ferguson, Hattie Scobey, Jackson Kennedy and Dr. Valerie Ivy pose in the JROTC wing of PBHS. Not present for the photo was Victoria Pennell, who is also Washington-bound.