GHS JROTC marches to two national titles

By Patrick Anderson
Staff writer

May 07, 2008 12:00 am

—

While most high school teams fight it out with state or local rivals, Gloucester High School's Marine Junior ROTC drill team is competing — and succeeding — on a national level.

The team returned from Daytona Beach, Fla., this past weekend with national titles in two events, color guard and regulation drill, besting schools from around the country in the 2008 National High School Drill Team Championships.

Delivering a strong performance in all facets of the eight-event competition, the Gloucester team narrowly missed winning the overall title, finishing second out of 56 teams entered.

"It is not every day that you get to be national champion in anything," JROTC coach Richard Muth said yesterday. "In other high school sports, you can be a state champion, but you don't get to be a national champion."

Around 30 Gloucester students traveled to Daytona Beach for the event, which was judged by officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Team member Sarah Taylor, a freshman, described part of the event's appeal: "It was unbelievable," Taylor said. "We got to talk with students from other schools and meet people from all over the world."

Drill competitions test the student cadets' precision, discipline and attention to detail in a series of different marching formations.

The color guard contests involve four-student squads marching in the kind of flag-bearing formations seen at parades and ball games. The standard bearers, carrying the colors of the United States and the Marine Corps, are flanked by cadets with rifles. The teams are judged on their ability to march in formation while following military guidelines to the letter.

The regulation drill event involves teams of 13 cadets performing a marching routine that includes stopping, turning, reversing and presenting arms. A cadet commander leads the unit and barks the marching orders.

Exhibition events feature trick rifle passing and spinning along with marching.

Along with the team awards, senior Selena Clancy brought home the Commanders Cup for outstanding drill commander. In March, Clancy took home a bronze medal in a national rifle shooting competition in Georgia.

Although Gloucester High's JROTC program has a long history at the school, Muth said winning drill competitions is something the school is more focused on now than ever before.

Senior Jason Geary said he was excited about having the team come in second overall and thought what he had learned in JROTC would serve him well as he heads off to college and beyond.

"It teaches you how to use a rifle and helps you build leadership skills," Geary said.

Junior Andrew Pereen, a color guard commander, said a good commander has the ability to not only give the correct orders, but to perform in a way that leads by example.

"Having leadership is not only about having them do what you say, but doing it right so they will see what to do," Pereen said. "It is a great program, something to help you with your future."

Muth said he was already thinking about sponsors and goals for next year's competition.

"I don't think it will be any tougher next year," Muth said. "Our goal will be to win the whole thing."

Patrick Anderson may be contacted at panderson@gloucestertimes.com.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.