PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - The Marine Corps JROTC program at Richwoods High School is full of achievements and achievers. The program earned a Naval School distinction for the sixth year in a row, and Richwoods junior Cadet Colonel Jacob Owen is a national champion and record holder for pull-ups.

Some of their biggest achievements, however, aren’t awards.

Senior Marine Instructor Shawn Martin is a retired First Sgt. who spent 21 years in the Marine Corps. That led to what he calls the passion of his life, helping the kids at Richwoods overcome any challenges in their way. That includes challenges that come from immigration documentation.

In the past, Martin has seen people who want to serve in the armed forces miss out on opportunities because of situations outside their control, like im

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