DEMOPOLIS &8212; After studying vigorously and competing in an online leadership competition in April and May, four Demopolis High School JROTC cadets will be heading to Natural Bridge, Va., to compete in the George C. Marshall Leadership Competition on Oct. 10.

Lt. Col. Beverly Jones, who serves as the DHS JROTC senior army instructor, said the online competition was among teams from all over the country and overseas.

The four students who will advance to the level III competition will be Lt. Col. Timothy Truelove, battalion commander, Maj. Mason Biglane, battalion executive officer, Cadet Maj. Danielle Estelle, battalion personnel officer, and Cadet Maj. John Davis, battalion operations officer.

The two alternate students who participated in the online competition were Cadet Capt. David Waldrop, alpha company commander and Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Samantha Lawson.

The online portion of the competition was interactive, with teams solving problems, taking leadership roles and making quick decisions. All of the portions of the competition were timed.

Jones said at the symposium, which is fully paid for by the U.S. Army, the cadets will have the chance to participate in leadership training programs and present group projects to some of the nation&8217;s top military and civilian leaders.

Most of the cadets, like Lawson, have been in ROTC since their freshman year of high school. They also said they are excited to be a part of the prestigious competition.

For Davis, he is not only happy to represent Demopolis High School JROTC, but also others in their brigade, which consists of JROTC groups from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.