CNMI Team bags 8 awards in drill meet

The CNMI Team shone at the recently concluded 2014 Golden Bear West Coast National Drill Competition in the U.S. mainland, bringing home eight awards this year.

According to Saipan Southern High School acting principal Jonathan Cabrera, the Manta Ray Battalion, along with Buck Battalions, did the Commonwealth proud as they emerged winners in many categories.

He disclosed that Manta Ray Battalion won the following honors: second place in Armed Sweepstakes (Varsity); first place in Armed Regulation (Varsity); third place in Armed Color Guard (Varsity); third place in Armed Dual Exhibition (Varsity), cadets Amante Andrada and Conrad Calub; and third place in Unarmed Color Guard (Novice).

The team also won first place honors in Unarmed Tap Out, cadet Jude Palacios; first place in Armed Tap Out, cadet Sunny Li; and Most Outstanding Armed Commander, cadet Jude Palacios.

“Though the teams came from different islands and different high schools, in California the students worked with one heart and one mind to represent the CNMI with pride and diligence and grace. Together, the students from Saipan and Rota were Team CNMI,” according to Cabrera.

CSM Richard Basa, the SSHS JROTC instructor who accompanied the students, was also very proud of their accomplishments.

“The cadets worked hard, and those who will be continuing in the program next school year…are already gearing up for the next competition. They want to win the regionals so they can have the honor of returning to L.A. to compete nationally,” he said.

Saipan Tribune learned that students spent close to a week stateside preparing for the competition and, because they all shared the same practice drill pad, they were able to see the hard work and perseverance of all the student representatives from the CNMI.

According to cadet Steffie Alipio, “This was an experience of a lifetime, and I hope we get to [go] back so we can win first place in all the events.”

This year’s Golden Bear West Coast National Drill Meet took place on April 26, 2014, at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.

This competition was founded in April 2000 and has grown to be one of the largest national drill meets of the West Coast in the United States. A whopping total of 62 schools, including four from the CNMI and Guam, participated this year.