High School Cadets Shine in Competition

Christine Nakano was nervous before taking on the obstacle course Friday at the Toughest Cadet Alive competition at Monroe High School.

The event included a 6-foot wall, 14-foot rope climb, running through tires and dragging a 160-pound dummy. While her classmates cheered, Nakano worked to complete the course as quickly as possible.

“It was really hard, but I had an advantage because this is my home course and I got to practice,” the Monroe junior said.

It paid off because Nakano was crowned Toughest Cadet Alive, helping Monroe win the team trophy. Mario Flores of San Pedro High won the boys’ title.

Thirty cadets from the citywide Junior Police Academy Magnet Program participated in the competition.

About 500 students at five high schools--Reseda, San Pedro, Monroe, Wilson and Dorsey--are part of the 3-year-old magnet program that prepares students for law enforcement careers.

On Friday, the top six cadets--three boys and three girls--from each school duked it out for the title.

They wore blue shorts and T-shirts that read: “Toughest Cadet Alive.”

The event also tested the cadets’ brain power. It began with a 45-minute essay that asked if a judge should have the power to overturn a jury’s verdict.

“I think I did pretty good on it,” said Joey Collins, a freshman at San Pedro High. “It was a great question and I think that, yes, a judge should be able to overturn a verdict.”

Then it was out to the field for the grueling physical portion of the competition, which accounted for 60% of the overall score. Besides the obstacle course, cadets competed in a rigorous push-up, pull-up, mile run, 50-yard-dash and jump-rope event.

Most boys cruised through the physical portion, but several girls struggled, and some even cried in frustration. In the end, they all laughed and encouraged each other.

“This is a great opportunity to build team and work spirit,” said Los Angeles Police Capt. Earl Paysinger, who helps oversee the magnet program. “That’s very important.”