Rota JROTC Drill Team continues its 2016 winning streak

Back row from left, Georna Barnicas, Britney Atalig, Jezzel Candia, Janiah Manglona, Richelle Aldabe, Loreville Clitar, Rezeil Camacho, Christian Hocog, Zyrus Manglona, and Major Merle Hoskins. Front row from left, Annie Mae Mendiola, Rita Atalig, Glengela Guiang, Angelly Guiang, Mary Heather Jingco, Keonie Hocog, and Eddie Cestona.
(Contributed Photo)

Rota’s Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior Senior High School’s JROTC drill team continued its winning streak at the Golden Bear West Coast Nationals Drill meet in Torrance California two weekends ago. The team earned the privilege to represent the CNMI Military Support Unit in the Unarmed category by winning the overall Unarmed championship last February on Saipan.

Golden Bear West Coast Nationals Drill meet is organized into two categories. The first level is a Novice level, somewhat similar to Junior Varsity in sports. The second level is the Varsity level, for the more experienced teams. Each of the levels have two categories: Armed (ie with weapons) and Unarmed (ie, without weapons). There were a total of 45 schools competing this year, representing Air Force, Army, Marine Corp, and Navy JROTC programs from the Western United States. Everyone trains all year with the goal of winning a trophy from this prestigious Drill Competition.

Rota’ JROTC team, under the leadership of Major Merle Hoskins, United States Army Retired, and assisted by Leadership Corp instructor Edwin Orilla, placed 2nd in the Overall Unarmed Sweepstakes, First in Unarmed Varsity Regulation, 2nd in Unarmed Varsity Color Guard Drill, 2nd in Tapout, 3rd in Unarmed Varsity Exhibition, and 4th in Unarmed Varsity Commander. Rota placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the three team events entered at the Golden Bear.

Major Hoskins’ challenge to the drill team at the beginning of the school year: “We do not go to participate—We go to win.” Seven months and countless of practice hours later, they won.

He said, “This win validates the concept that to win you have to practice, you have to sacrifice, you have to work hard and you must never, ever, ever give up. I am so proud of this team, their commitment, their ability to set a goal and make the commitments of time, energy, and effort to be winners.”

Major Hoskins added, “It was a wonderful experience for our students. They learned the value of hard work, and experienced the reward for their effort. They are the epitome of JROTC students. They are good citizens, they work hard and realize the results of their effort. Their efforts and accomplishments are what other cadets and students should emulate.”

Rota’s Varsity Regulation Team: 1st Place
Commander: Cadet Major Glengela Guiang.
Team Members: Christian Hocog, Xyrus Manglona, Keonie Hocog, Reizel Camacho, Georna Barcinas, Britney Atalig, Angelly Guiang, Mary Heather Jingco, and Janiah Manglona.

Rota’s Varsity Color Guard Team: 2nd Place
Commander: Cadet Captain Rezeil Camacho.
Team Members: Keonie Hocog, Angelly Guiang, and Janiah Manglona.

Rota’s Varsity Exhibition Team: 3rd place
Commander: Eddie Cestona.
Team Members: Richelle Aldabe, Britney Atalig. Rita Atalig, Rezeil Camacho, Jezzel Candia, Loreville Clitar, Angelly Guiang, Glengela Guiang, Keonie Hocog, Mary Heather Jingco, Janiah Manglona, and Annie Mae Mendiola. (PR)