Courtesy of The Cypressonian
Each year, Cypress Lake High School’s JROTC program hosts one of its most meaningful traditions– the Jardas Raiders Meet, a Raiders Competition held in memory of Thomas Jardas, a beloved alum of Cypress who joined the Marines and perished tragically in a helicopter crash.
The event started seven years ago as a way to preserve Tommy’s memory and honor the kind of person he was. “We were trying to figure out the best way to support Thomas’s legacy and his mother,” Sergeant Major Ortega explained. “After our first idea didn’t work out, we created the Raiders Meet, and each year since then, it’s been a success.”
The meet draws 35 Raider teams from across 21 schools, all coming together to compete and celebrate Tommy’s life through teamwork, discipline, and physical strength. Raiders compete in five demanding events — including a 5K team run, a tire flip, the “Random Object Challenge” (where the cadets are given a random item to carry in the fastest time), the rope bridge, a mystery military push using a HUMVEE, and a Raider fitness challenge that tests both endurance and teamwork.
The captain of the Female team, Zoey Garcia, gave us her input. “These events push our cadets to their limits, mentally and physically. It’s not just about completing the task at hand but completing with zero penalties with the fastest time possible.”
But beyond the competition, the heart of the event lies in its purpose — remembering Tommy Jardas. His mother, Mrs. Haely Jardas, attends every year to watch the cadets honor her son’s legacy. “Seeing her smile as students celebrate her son’s life is always the highlight of the event,” Sergeant Major Ortega said. “It’s a way to bring our community together and build stronger relationships,” Zoey added.
As Cypress Lake JROTC looks ahead, the Jardas Raiders Meet remains more than just a competition to win an award — it’s a tribute to courage, teamwork, a selfless sacrifice and the memory of a fallen hero who continues to inspire new generations of cadets.
To get to know Thomas Jardas more make sure to visit his memorial outside of the Centers Of The Arts building.
