ROTA’S Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School won overall first place in the 2023 Middle School Leadership Drill Competition on April 15 by topping the unarmed color guard, armed color guard and unarmed regulation categories.
Held at the Koblerville gymnasium, over 100 students from the CNMI’s public middle schools competed in the annual event.
The members of Rota’s winning team are Robert Manglona II, Edward Q. Hocog III, Aire Logan Hocog, Damian “J” Atalig, Brian Cabrera, Kaden Manglona, Guadalupe Weilbacher, Rianie Camacho, J’Ana Hocog, Doriann Lizama, Abcde Hocog, Danice Malaborbor, Kylee Manglona, Raiahli Barcinas, Hannah Salas, Kassidy Garces, Hailey Manglona, Iha Hocog and Haani Barcinas
Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School’s Damian “J” H. Atalig also won the Best Commander-Armed Color Guard Award while the Best Commander-Unarmed Regulation Award went to another Rota student, Brian Cabrera
Rota’s 19-person team was led by its Leadership Corps instructor, Edwin Orilla.
Second place
Hopwood Middle School took overall second place. Its Leadership Corps team members are Jonathan Vargas, Rafael Pascual, Pritika Sen, Fiona Zhu, Tasi Reyes, Tahani Jolo, Empress Lopez, Raven Pascual, Toby Yan, Maria Quidato, Alexis Salundaguit, Bianca Long, Walter Clave, Aquinna Santos, Steven Loan, Dyne Rivera, Yong Lin and John Quidato.
Their Leadership Corps instructors are Michael Berbes, Jonathan Sugatan and Donovan Pangelinan.
Third place
Francisco M. Sablan Middle School placed third place in the armed color category.
FMS’ drill team is led by Leadership Corps instructor Jeffrey Bacani, and its members are Daniel Sano, Jude Mallari, Sean Omar, Seam Morilla, Amber Guevarra, Maulene Delvo, Xyris Ellazar, Althea Bocago, Aiden Bocago. Their Leadership Corps substitute instructor is Bonnie Sagana.
Tinian Junior High School, for its part, finished third in the unarmed regulation category.
The Tinian team members are Dakota M. Sandbergen, Ayeesha Camilla, Ina E. Mendiola, Jireh C. Cruz, Ava A. John, Stephanie J. Lagunay, Abir Ali, Fivani M. Villagomez, Timid M. Reyes, Katie Ann U. Lizama, Janna B. Mapeso, Alexia S. Pangelinan, and Tevin M. Reyes.
Their Leadership Corps instructor is Rudyna Walker.
The CNMI Public School System was the first in the Pacific region to initiate a middle school leadership program, which mirrors the National Leadership Corps Interactive Curriculum, among other national programs.
Led by their instructor Edwin Orilla, left, Rota’s Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School team topped this year’s Middle School Leadership Drill Competition at the Koblerville gym on April 15, 2023.
Overall second place: the Leadership Corps team of Hopwood Middle School.
The Tinian Junior High School Leadership Corps team finished third in the unarmed regulation.
The Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School Leadership Corps team in formation.
The Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School Leadership Corps team finished first in the unarmed color guard category.
The Hopwood Middle School Leadership Corps team with their instructors: Michael Berbes, Jonathan Sugatan and Donovan Pangelinan.
Francisco M. Sablan Middle School placed third in the armed color team category.
Hopwood Middle School placed second in the armed color category.
