The La Porte High School JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl team secured 11th place out of 40 top teams at the national finals held in Washington, D.C., following a season of rigorous preparation and outstanding competition. 

The JLAB competition, hosted annually by the U.S. Army Cadet Command and the College Options Foundation, brings together the highest-performing JROTC academic teams from across the nation. Teams qualify through a series of online rounds testing leadership principles, current events, math, science, language arts, and SAT/ACT-style questions. The national finals represent the top academic minds among more than 1,700 Army JROTC programs nationwide. 

This year’s event was held at The Catholic University of America and featured several days of head-to-head academic challenges designed to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership under pressure. 

Throughout the season, the cadets displayed unwavering dedication and sharp academic skills, advancing through multiple qualifying rounds to earn their spot among the nation's elite. At the finals, each cadet received two medals for their achievement, and the team was awarded a finalist plaque for their performance. 

Captain Hector Echevarria serves as the Senior Army Instructor for the La Porte High School JROTC program.