Local & Community
Desert Hot Springs High Bids Emotional Farewell to JROTC Leader First Sergeant Webb
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA — It was a day filled with pride, gratitude, and heartfelt farewells at Desert Hot Springs High School as students and staff honored First Sergeant Nichelle Webb, the respected and trailblazing leader of the school’s Marine Corps JROTC program. Webb is officially retiring after more than a decade of service, marking the end of an era for the only Marine Corps JROTC program in the entire Coachella Valley.
The ceremony, held this morning, was emotional and celebratory, with cadets, alumni, and community members joining together to pay tribute. First Sergeant Webb, who joined the program in 2013, has left an indelible mark on generations of students and received several honors during her tenure—including being named Palm Springs Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year in 2022.
“It feels like you can still make an impact to the youth, and that’s why I do this,” Webb shared during the ceremony. Her retirement comes as the program celebrates its 25th anniversary, a milestone that made the moment even more poignant.
Students from her very first graduating class returned to take part in the farewell. “She started with us, she was a freshman with us,” said one alum. “We even gave her a cap and gown for our graduation to be like, you're graduating with us.”
Known for her strong sense of discipline and military structure, Webb also made efforts to connect with the wider student body. She founded a gardening club, launched a K-pop club, and even took on the role of cheer coach—actions that helped her reach beyond the JROTC ranks and into the broader campus culture.
“I know that the military is very rigid, very disciplined,” she said, “but this is only 100 students out of 1,800. I want to impact all 1,800.”
For many young women in the program, Webb’s leadership served as a source of empowerment. “Going under First Sergeant's leadership as a woman has been really great,” one cadet said. “She’s an inspiring source to our community.”
Though retiring from her role in Desert Hot Springs, Webb is not slowing down. She is relocating to Las Vegas, where she plans to build a new JROTC program and continue her mission of mentorship and service.
“I see you and every day I want to see you excel in what you do,” Webb said in a final message to her students. “I’ve already done it. Let’s see what you got.”
By: NBC Palm Springs
May 2, 2025
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