This inter-island event of the various JROTC battalions not only brought the different battalions together to show off their drill teams, but to also show how they’re all winners whether they get awards or not.
The day started off with an inspection by army officials to make sure that all the battalions were looking pristine.
It was then followed by remarks from Battalion Commander Heartim Williams, Director of Army Instructions Lt. Colonel Gay and guest speaker Tanya King, the Rota representative on the CNMI Board of Education.
The real competition, however, began with performances from each high school’s drill team. The exhibition and fancy drill team categories of the competition were obvious crowd favorites.
The various performances made the crowd go wild with their extravagant routines that involved spinning and throwing rifles.
While the performances drew loud screams and cheers, the award ceremony was even louder.
Rota High School, despite facing heavy competition, managed to win first place in the competition. Kagman High came in second place, Saipan Southern in third place, Tinian in fourth place, and Marianas High in last place.
It was a stunning upset for Marianas High School, who was last year’s overall winner.
Although some students in the losing teams had bitter looks on their faces over the results, the Dolphin Battalion commander, Vohn Gueverra, reminded everyone that “whatever the outcome, we all worked for the same thing. We all worked hard and we wowed some people, so we’re all winners; placing doesn’t really matter.”
After the competition, the commander of MHS’s rifle exhibition team said, “We’ll take this defeat as a lesson, I’m pretty disappointed we came in last, but it gives us another reason to work even harder for next year.”
Tinian JROTC member Billy Manglona says that “This year’s event was very intense. The other schools improved a lot. We’re coming back next year with even more preparation.”
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