Saipan Southern High School’s Manta Ray Battalion ruled this year’s Inter-Island Drill Competition.
ON Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Annual Drill Competition was held at Saipan Southern High School’s drill pad. Both the Armed and Unarmed teams showcased their Inspection, Regulation, Color Guard, and Exhibition routines to evaluators from the Middle School Leadership Corps. Although the scores were not immediately announced, the results were shared during an online ceremony via Google meet on March 2 at 1 p.m. During the ceremony, it was announced that the Manta Ray Battalion Armed and Unarmed had won first place overall.
“The Drill Team we have this year was excellent. They sacrificed so much of their time spending with their friends, loved ones, or significant others just to be here, to come and practice, to try and achieve a goal that we all strive to have; which is 1st place overall for both teams,” said C/LTC Torres, Julius, “Honestly, I think this year I have a good feeling that both teams would make it because of the time and effort that we put practicing and the amount of help that we’ve received from CSM (Ret.) Richard Basa, SGM (Ret.) Joaquin Kiyoshi, MSG (Ret.) Ronald Graham, and our new Army Instructor SFC (Ret.) Deyna Sunderland, and JROTC cadet alumni.”
“I’m very happy for both teams because we both worked really hard. And we’re making history here; both teams won, both teams are going to California, and I’m just excited to see the results of our hard work in nationals. Hooah!” says Armed Team Regulation and Color Guard commander C/CSM Villagomez, Anthony.
“This competition meant a lot to me because of all the hard work our teams put into it and to get that 1st place trophy. The drill team is like a second family to me, so it felt amazing to be able to accomplish this win with them and overall. I’m just very proud of all of us,” says C/SFC Pangelinan, Kiani, an Unarmed team member.
“It’s been a journey with all of us contributing towards this, with the sacrifices we made throughout this whole process. This finally paid off. Both teams made it, both teams are 1st place, and both teams are going to Cali,” says C/2LT Lifoifoi, Jaren, an Armed team member.
“It’s pretty exciting because both teams get to go to California to represent the CNMI. Despite all the challenges the team had within each other, and within their personal lives and everything, we all managed to come together as one and practice our hardest and get the number one spot for all categories and number one spot for 1st place overall,” says C/2LT Cabrera, Antonio, another Armed team member.
“Congratulations to all the schools in the CNMI within the JROTC program. Winning 1st place for the first time means a lot and we couldn’t have done this without our commanders. We proved so many people wrong and will keep doing it, and we’ll keep pushing. Nothing would get in the middle of the road for us. Period. Slay,” says C/2LT Mendiola, Logan, another Unarmed team member.
We would like to give a special thanks to our school principal, Mr. Vince Dela Cruz, our school vice principal, Mrs. Sakai Peters and the Middle School Leadership Corps Instructors for evaluating this year’s annual drill competition, Sergeant Jeffrey Bacani from Fransisco Mendiola Sablan Middle School, Sergeant Jonathan Sugutan and Specialist Michael Berbes both from Hopwood Middle School, Sergeant Jaymark De Guzman from Dandan Middle School for their cooperation throughout the whole 2023 CNMI MSU Drill Competition.
A big thank you as well to the PSS Senior Director of Students and Support Services, Dr. Yvonne Pangelinan, the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Alfred Ada, and Associate of Administration, Mr. Eric Magofna, and Board of Education Member, SGM (Ret.) Herman Atalig for their continuous support.
After the Manta Ray Battalion Armed and Unarmed teams’ impressive performances, they were selected to represent the CNMI at the prestigious Golden Bear National Drill Meet in Torrance, California. These cadets’ dedication, hard work, and perseverance during their practice session have paid off, making them all winners. Despite being first-time participants for most of the cadets in this year’s competition, they have tasted victory and the feeling that comes with it. They overcame various challenges and remained resilient throughout their journey to reclaim and defend their crown.
