Sam Rayburn's JROTC cadets had an opportunity to come face-to-face with one of everyone's greatest fears- the fear of heights. On Friday, the Texan cadets were confronted with a challenge to rappel down a 70-foot tower with nothing more than a half-inch rope. 
  "I was so scared, my entire body was trembling," said freshman cadet Yolanda Larraga. "But i did what the instructors told me to do, and next thing I knew I was walking down the side of a 70-foot tower suspended by a rope no bigger than my thumb."
  Cadet Battalion Commander Colonel Jessica Munoz said that the exercise is a way to help build the cadets' self confidence.
  "It's so they can see exactly what they are capable of doing by applying themselves and having a little faith and self discipline," said Munoz.
  With the support of the Pasadena Fire Department, the Texan Battalion has been rappelling twice a year every year since the program started in 2005, bringing the total number of rappels to over 2,500.
  The Texan Battallion is set to rappel again on September 15-16 and again in the spring. Event photo follows.

Cadet Yolanda Larraga flashes a smile on her way down.