Mount Olive High School Air Force JROTC Cadets Compete at the Piscataway High School Drill Competition
In their first competition of the season, the Mount Olive High School Air Force JROTC (Unit NJ-20172) Drill Team demonstrated why they are a force to be reckoned with at the Piscataway High School JROTC Drill Competition. Under the watchful eyes of multiple judges, the drill team competed in a series of events all designed to test the discipline, synchronization, and poise of each cadet as they worked as a team performing various drill commands and movements.
The Marauders started the competition strong in the unarmed regulation drill category, led by senior Jason Wang. The team was composed of cadets from all grade and experience levels. Although many of the members came with drill experience, this was their first drill competition since 2020 and they captured a third-place finish out of eleven teams competing.
“After all the early morning practices (6:00am), it has been an honor to represent NJ-20172 at this drill event,” said Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jason Wang, the unit cadet commander.
The Drill Team consisted of Anthony Cluxton, Marco De Leon, Gabriella Drucks, Cyara Ferreira, Riahanna Ferriara, Anirudh Guruprasad, Cooper Henderson, Aidan Johnson, Talan Lleras, Noah Lopez, Connor Magidson, Jazhiel Ona, Lucas Rainha, Morgan Ryerson, Charles Stockley, and Jason Wang.
The unit's Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Brian Dickenson said, “After 3 years, it was great to see a full drill team and color guard perform especially well. I think it was a great experience for all the cadets whose hard work and dedication came to fruition, I am exceptionally proud of everyone."
The Color Guard performance, led by senior Lucas Rainha along with veterans Ethan Doyle and Connor Magidson with first time competitor Brandon Sanchez, masterfully impressing the judges with their synchronized routine. Their performance was so exquisite that they took home first place over nine other teams.
“Both teams have shown their hard work and dedication in today's events and the results from the competition show it,” said Cadet Major Rainha.
“I believe this event was helpful as it allowed our unit to grow together and it showed how if we work together that inevitably we will be stronger as a whole,” said Cadet Second Lieutenant Magidson.
“Both teams performed amazingly and I am so proud of how they represented Mount Olive,” said Aerospace Science Instructor Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Robert Bedell.
Teams from twelve schools in three states participated in the competition. The competition had more than 250 cadets competing in multiple events, judged by volunteers from the active-duty military.
