drill and color guard articles
2021-2022
The Dalton High School Army Junior ROTC Drill and Colorguard team compete at Osborne High School
By: C/CPT Brisa Lopez March 3rd, 2022
On March 5th 2022, the DHS Drill and Colorguard team excitedly made their way to Osborne High School. They arrived at approximately 8 am and practiced until the event boxes opened up to the competing schools. The teams first event was the Unarmed Male-Mixed Platoon; the next event was the Male Colorguard. The last and final event that they participated in was the Unarmed Male-Mixed Squad event in which they performed exceptionally well. The team will go to the Area #10 State Qualifier Competition on March 19th in which they hope to place so that they are able to compete at the state competition this year.
By: C/CPT Brisa Lopez March 3rd, 2022
On March 5th 2022, the DHS Drill and Colorguard team excitedly made their way to Osborne High School. They arrived at approximately 8 am and practiced until the event boxes opened up to the competing schools. The teams first event was the Unarmed Male-Mixed Platoon; the next event was the Male Colorguard. The last and final event that they participated in was the Unarmed Male-Mixed Squad event in which they performed exceptionally well. The team will go to the Area #10 State Qualifier Competition on March 19th in which they hope to place so that they are able to compete at the state competition this year.
Dalton High School goes to North Springs Charter for Second Drill and Colorguard Competition of the Season
By: C/CPT Brisa Lopez February 4th, 2022
After looking at their previous scores from the first competition at Hiram, GA and working hard to improve on their weaknesses and continuing to improve on their strengths. The Dalton High School Army Junior ROTC Drill and Colorguard team, arrived at North Springs Charter, GA. Their first competition was the Colorguard area, their second event was squad and their last and final event was the Platoon in which they placed 6th out of 12 schools. At their next competition on March 5th they hope to be able to place in the top 3 for the first time this season, they will continue to work and improve and do their best to their abilities to place.
By: C/CPT Brisa Lopez February 4th, 2022
After looking at their previous scores from the first competition at Hiram, GA and working hard to improve on their weaknesses and continuing to improve on their strengths. The Dalton High School Army Junior ROTC Drill and Colorguard team, arrived at North Springs Charter, GA. Their first competition was the Colorguard area, their second event was squad and their last and final event was the Platoon in which they placed 6th out of 12 schools. At their next competition on March 5th they hope to be able to place in the top 3 for the first time this season, they will continue to work and improve and do their best to their abilities to place.
The Dalton High School Army Junior ROTC Drill and Colorguard team has their first competition in 2 years By: C/1LT Brisa Lopez February 27th, 2022
After 2 years of not being able to have competitions due to COVID-19 the Drill and Colorguard team from the Dalton High School Junior Army ROTC program had their very first competition to kick off their season in Hiram, GA. The teams competed in 3 areas which were, Male Colorguard, Male-Mixed unarmed squad and platoon. Cadets reported to the High School at 6 am and arrived at 8 o’clock. After they completed every event that they had they went to have lunch. Cadets enjoyed going to the competition and were excited since it had been a long time since they had gone to competition. Cadets will work hard to improve their weaknesses and maintain their strengths in competition and in practices. They hope to continue to improve and look forward to their next competition.
After 2 years of not being able to have competitions due to COVID-19 the Drill and Colorguard team from the Dalton High School Junior Army ROTC program had their very first competition to kick off their season in Hiram, GA. The teams competed in 3 areas which were, Male Colorguard, Male-Mixed unarmed squad and platoon. Cadets reported to the High School at 6 am and arrived at 8 o’clock. After they completed every event that they had they went to have lunch. Cadets enjoyed going to the competition and were excited since it had been a long time since they had gone to competition. Cadets will work hard to improve their weaknesses and maintain their strengths in competition and in practices. They hope to continue to improve and look forward to their next competition.
Victory at Cass
By: Cadet Second Lieutenant Alondra Hernandez
On the morning of March 10, 2018, the Dalton High School Drill team reported at Dalton high school at 6:30 am. The Drill team loaded the bus with the Color Guard equipment. Once they got on the bus they took accountability to make sure that they had everyone from the team. They made their way to Cass high school area and arrived at 9:30 am. While the Commander and Co-Commander attended the meeting, the platoon and squads practiced for so that they can be more prepared. Once the Commanders returned from the meeting, they made their way to the first station where the Color Guard teams would compete. Right after the Color Guard teams competed; the cadets were allowed to go to the concession stand where they sold refreshments and treats. The platoon, armed, and unarmed squad competed next in the following order. The Drill team stayed for the awards, the awards were held on a field, an approximate of six schools competed at this competition. The Dalton high school Drill team placed in three different areas: platoon, armed squad, and unarmed squad. The platoon and unarmed squad placed in third and the armed squad placed in second. Drill Commander Javier Robledo says, “I believe that this has been our best competition of the season, our triumph isn’t based on the awards, but on the motivation and determination that we carry within us, I am moved to have such a hard-working team”. The Drill team stayed behind on the field to get a group picture along with the trophies. The Drill team decided to make a stop at Zaxby’s to get a good meal in and to spend a little quality time with each other. A while later they made it back to Dalton high school and called their rides to be dismissed.
Drill Team Competes at Cass High School
By: Cadet Second Lieutenant Alondra Hernandez
On Saturday morning February 26 of 2018, the Drill Team arrived at Dalton High School. The cadets reported at Dalton High School at 5:15 am then departing to Cass High School at 6:00 am. Once they arrived at Cass, the cadets got off the bus so that they could practice as a platoon and in their designated squads. The climate was a bit rainy and sunny, but it did not affect the performance of the cadets. They then made their way to the soccer field to compete for every squad. The squads competed in the following sequence, Platoon, Unarmed Squad, Armed Squad, Male Color Guard, and lastly the Female Color Guard. After all of the schools competed, the schools then gathered to the football field so that they could compete for Knock Out Drill. Knock Out Drill consists of a variety of cadets from different schools competing individually unarmed or armed; it gives them a chance to challenge their facing movements with other cadets and to possibly place. This year at Cass High School, cadets were only able to compete in the unarmed Knock-Out Drill. Cadet First Sergeant Cynthia Castillo placed 4th, and Cadet Corporal Maria Perez placed in 2nd. The Drill Team did a remarkable job, they placed in four squads, the Platoon came in 1st place as well as the Armed Squad, the Unarmed Squad then placed in 3rd, as well as the Male mixed Color Guard. The Commander Cadet Major Javier Robledo was proud of the achievements and performance of the cadets, as he states, “I am thrilled and honored to have such a hard-working team. Together we slowly began to progress and get better, all of the hard work led to these wonderful accomplishments that we encountered on Saturday morning, we hope to achieve and aim higher as we get ready and compete for Area”. The Drill Team’s next competition will be at South Gwinnett High School where it will then determine if they go to state or not.
Rainy Rifles and Muddy Marching at Osborne High
By: Cadet Second Lieutenant Alondra Hernandez
The Dalton high school Drill Team competed at Osborne High School on February 10 of 2018. They departed Dalton High at 6:20 am and arrived at 8:00 am. The climate was rainy; therefore, the squads, platoons, and color guards were performed indoors in the gym. The estimate of schools that they competed against was 18, which is quite a bit. Though they did not place, in all the events they managed to find their mistakes and see how they can improve for the upcoming practices. Drill Commander Javier Robledo says as follows, “Though the rain got us a few times during practices, we still practiced to the best of our abilities, though the end results from the competition were not the best we still kept our heads held high, and our minds open as we prepare for our next competition were we will triumph”. The Drill Team is now continuing their practices, as well as during their break and how they plan to improve is by, “Taking the time with every squad and the platoon to observe carefully, and correct any flaw, and nervousness that shows, each opportunity open to practice will only prepare us more mentally and as a team”- Co. Commander Celerina Garcia states. The loss that they encountered on Saturday does not give the team a motive to quit, but to conquer, and so they will as they prepare for Cass High School on February 24, 2018, where they will not go down undefeated.
Drill Team Competes At Hiram High School
By: Cadet Second Lieutenant Alondra Hernandez
The Drill team reported to Dalton High School at 5:00 am on January 27, 2018. They were then given a quick inspection to make sure their uniforms were squared away. They departed Dalton High School and arrived two hours later at Hiram High School. The cadets practiced for the platoon for the meanwhile, and then they prepared their equipment. All categories competed in this sequence along with their commanders’: Cadet Corporal Mercedes Moreno commanded the Female Mixed Squad, Cadet Corporal Anahi commanded the Female Color Guard, Cadet Major Javier Robledo commanded the Male Mixed Color Guard, the Battalion Commander, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Christian Perez commanded the Platoon, and lastly, Cadet First Sergeant Pablo Perez commanded the Armed Squad. The Male mixed unarmed platoon placed 1st in the competition that took place at Hiram High School. Cadet First Sergeant Cynthia Castillo’s first time in drill and this is what she has to say, “My first competition was a new experience and I learned how to work in new situations with my team. It was a great feeling to finally execute what the drill team has been practicing for weeks and weeks”. In all the Drill, the team did an outstanding job at their first competition and they will continue to grow and perfect their squads as a team. Their next competition will be at Osborne High School on February 10th.
By: Cadet Second Lieutenant Alondra Hernandez
The Drill team reported to Dalton High School at 5:00 am on January 27, 2018. They were then given a quick inspection to make sure their uniforms were squared away. They departed Dalton High School and arrived two hours later at Hiram High School. The cadets practiced for the platoon for the meanwhile, and then they prepared their equipment. All categories competed in this sequence along with their commanders’: Cadet Corporal Mercedes Moreno commanded the Female Mixed Squad, Cadet Corporal Anahi commanded the Female Color Guard, Cadet Major Javier Robledo commanded the Male Mixed Color Guard, the Battalion Commander, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Christian Perez commanded the Platoon, and lastly, Cadet First Sergeant Pablo Perez commanded the Armed Squad. The Male mixed unarmed platoon placed 1st in the competition that took place at Hiram High School. Cadet First Sergeant Cynthia Castillo’s first time in drill and this is what she has to say, “My first competition was a new experience and I learned how to work in new situations with my team. It was a great feeling to finally execute what the drill team has been practicing for weeks and weeks”. In all the Drill, the team did an outstanding job at their first competition and they will continue to grow and perfect their squads as a team. Their next competition will be at Osborne High School on February 10th.
The Commence Of Color Guard Season
By: Cadet Second Lieutenant Alondra Hernandez
The Color Guard season began in November; they are now getting ready for their first competition that is on January 27, 2018 at Hiram High School. This season’s Commander is C/MAJ Javier Robledo and the Co-Commander is C/1SG Celerina Garcia. Color Guard is similar to Drill, you march and do facing movements but there is more to it. C/MAJ Javier Robledo has been showing the cadets the proper ways to march with the flags and the rifles, with the proper command that is given as well. This year the Commander has decided to have an all Female Color Guard and an all Male Color Guard to compete at competition. The female and male Color Guard place separately with awards. C/MAJ Javier Robledo quotes “The Color Guard team is one of the highest honors and honored team to be in in JROTC, it takes dedication and military bearing”.
By: Cadet Second Lieutenant Alondra Hernandez
The Color Guard season began in November; they are now getting ready for their first competition that is on January 27, 2018 at Hiram High School. This season’s Commander is C/MAJ Javier Robledo and the Co-Commander is C/1SG Celerina Garcia. Color Guard is similar to Drill, you march and do facing movements but there is more to it. C/MAJ Javier Robledo has been showing the cadets the proper ways to march with the flags and the rifles, with the proper command that is given as well. This year the Commander has decided to have an all Female Color Guard and an all Male Color Guard to compete at competition. The female and male Color Guard place separately with awards. C/MAJ Javier Robledo quotes “The Color Guard team is one of the highest honors and honored team to be in in JROTC, it takes dedication and military bearing”.
The Commence of Drill Season
By: Cadet Second Lieutenant Alondra Hernandez
The Drill team is preparing and practicing hard for their first competition that takes place at Hiram High School on January 27, 2018. The Drill Commander C/MAJ Javier Robledo and Co-Commander C/1SG Celerina Garcia have been practicing with the cadets since November 2017 till now; they showed the cadets all of the basic movements and slowly then they began to march as a platoon and in squads. This year the Drill team will go to five competitions, each competition brings them closer to the Area State Qualifier. The Area State Qualifier determines if they get to state and that is what C/MAJ Javier Robledo and his team are aiming for this season. Perfection and being coordinated is the key for the Drill team. C/MAJ Javier Robledo says, “The Drill team is a team where moving as one unit and perfection of movements is essential on getting prepared for competitions.