Swenson students learn
leadership through ROTC

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The new Junior Air Force ROTC program at Swenson Arts and Technology High School has proved to be popular among students.
Since starting in September, the program has enrolled about 125 cadets. That might be the most of any high school in the city and is especially impressive considering that Swenson is a relatively small school, with an enrollment of 720.
"Every day, I’m getting another request," said principal Dave Kipphut.
He explained that members of Swenson’s ROTC Unit 2052 learn leadership, responsibility and integrity.
Meanwhile, the school’s culinary arts program is working on its annual service learning project. Last year, the students assisted a shelter for abused women. This year, partly due to formation of the ROTC, the culinary arts students decided to treat local soldiers to a holiday meal.
Just before the Christmas break, the ROTC and culinary arts programs teamed to pay tribute to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard 28th Infantry Division’s 56th Stryker Brigade. The soldiers enjoyed lunch on Dec. 22 at the Lions Den, one of Swenson’s cafeterias.
The men and women, dressed in fatigues, said they always look forward to interaction with the community.
"We came here to support the students and the programs they’re doing," said Sgt. Maj. Joe Golomboski, the senior enlisted member of the brigade.
The culinary arts students work with the environmental education organization Earth Force, growing flowers and herbs in a greenhouse located on the campus of the school on Red Lion Road, just east of Roosevelt Boulevard.
The students prepared a meal that included vegetable soup, roasted chicken breast, spinach, potatoes and black forest cake. The school’s bake shop also gave each of the soldiers a container of cookies for the road. And the soldiers went home with Swenson keychains/flashlights and the thanks of the school community for their service.
Golomboski joked that members of the brigade, based at Southampton Road and Roosevelt Boulevard, would have to run laps to work off all of those calories.
The 20 soldiers in attendance also had the chance to mingle with the ROTC’s top three leaders — Sgt. Maj. Antonio Padilla, Capt. Dominik Carrasco and Master Sgt. Ed Roldin.
Golomboski sat at a table with Carrasco.
"She’s very intelligent, a straight-A student," he said. "She’s got a lot going for her."
Golomboski said ROTC and military service teaches organization and self-discipline.
That’s what attracted a lot of students to Swenson’s ROTC, according to Paul Willey, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force who is an aerospace science instructor at the school. He oversees the ROTC.
The program grew even larger once the student body saw how their fellow teenagers looked in uniform.
Golomboski explained that there are more than 15,000 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Some 2,000 members in 12 units are based at Southampton and the Boulevard.
The 56th Stryker Brigade includes members who’ve served in the Balkan States.
The unit does not expect to be called up to Iraq or Afghanistan for a couple of years.
Padilla and Carrasco, both seniors, can see themselves having military careers of one form or another.
A basketball player and administrative assistant/treasurer of the student government, Padilla said he’s participated in field trips, fund-raisers and recruiting. He’s learned about aircraft and to be more disciplined and focused.
Padilla wants to be a computer engineer and hopes the ROTC and military service help him reach his goals.
"I think it’ll help me go far in school and my career," he said.
A former member of a tae kwon do group, Carrasco thought the ROTC would provide the same kind of discipline and physical training she enjoyed in the self-defense class.
Since joining, she has studied ROTC history and learned how to properly march and salute. She likes the fact that young people have the option of enlisting in active or reserve military duty, adding that they are eligible for school-related benefits.
Carrasco understands that military service doesn’t mean solely carrying a weapon and fighting in a war. For instance, she might join the Army while studying law at Penn or Harvard.
For now, she’s glad to be part of a growing ROTC program at Swenson.
"Ever since we got in uniform, people have been joining. After they see how sharp we look, they want to wear the uniform," she said. "We represent the entire military. When people look at us, they see the entire U.S. Air Force." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com