Cadets from the Kingwood High School NJROTC program earned national recognition after advancing to the NJROTC Brain Brawl National Championship, finishing 15th overall out of 24 teams in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The team qualified for nationals after winning the Area 17 Brain Brawl Championship on Feb. 7, where 16 teams competed in a fast-paced, knowledge-based competition. Brain Brawl challenges cadets with NJROTC curriculum questions and pop culture topics in a format similar to “Jeopardy!,” requiring quick reflexes and teamwork using buzzers.
Representing Area 17, Kingwood High traveled May 1–3 to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for the national competition, where top teams from across the country competed.
Cadet Lt. Noah Knepper placed sixth overall in the Brawl Stars individual competition, highlighting the team’s performance on the national stage.
“We are extremely proud of everything they accomplished, considering this is the first time we've ever participated in an event like this and made it to a national level,” Kingwood High School Senior Naval Science Instructor Alena Fuller said.
The following cadets represented Kingwood High School at the competition:
Cadet Lt. Noah Knepper, NS-4
Cadet Lt. j.g. Sophia Alvarado, NS-3
Cadet Lt. j.g. Ella Mugridge, NS-3
Cadet Ens. Clayton Bradford, NS-3
Cadet PO3 Kyle Michaud, NS-1