JROTC conducted the annual Intramural Drill Meet May 19 from 7:40 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. With 145 cadets in attendance, it was a busy day, to say the least.

But the stress of the meet started long before the day of the meet. The students and teachers involved with ROTC had been planning and prepping for weeks.

“The entire event is planned, organized and executed by the senior cadets. This year all 28 seniors were involved in the planning,” Col. Michael Fernandez said.

A military Pass In Review also took place at 1:10 in honor of the seniors, and was open for anyone who wanted to attend. Seniors stood on the bleachers facing the field and the rest of the cadets marched by and saluted them to show their respect.

“After participating in Pass In Review to honor the seniors ahead of my class for the past three years, it was different, but also really nice to finally see their perspective of being honored,” Katelene Gonzalo said.

It was Zack Mason’s first year participating in ROTC, and he plans to do it for his next three years here.

“After Standard Drill, we went to exhibition, which I placed first in, then we did Pass In Review,” Mason said.

With this year coming to a close, Fernandez said it was a good way to end the long year of training and hard work for his cadets.

“Overall the cadets did an outstanding job in both the preparation and the execution of the day’s events. Flights were awarded first, second and third place in Inspection, Standard Drill and Exhibition Drill with one flight named the Overall Sweepstakes Champion,” Fernandez said, “The senior cadets did an amazing job planning the event and provided terrific oversight.  They should be well pleased with the way things turned out.”

by AVERY VAN DER LINDEN