Throughout the day, the competitors' scores were being updated on the viewing screen with excited instructors querying each other on whether this was the year that AREA 12 could send three units to the Nationals.  This certainly added greatly to the fervor in the room.  By late afternoon, TP and four other schools still had to complete the drill portion of the competition leaving the final outcome in question.  Most of the other 11 schools' had finished the competition giving instructors enough information to speculate on the final outcome.  The instructors began to rapidly calculate which of the five had the best chance to climb toward the top.  TP was sitting at 14 of 16 and it wasn't looking good at all..

 

With the numbers coming in, TP was quickly closing the gap, but it became painfully obvious that Nease HS would finish first regardless of how competitive TP's drill scores were.  Second was still up for grabs though, offering hope for Luella HS, Middleburg HS, South Effingham HS, and TP.  We were fighting it out for the remaining spot or quite possibly, two remaining spots.

 

As evening set in and the sun quickly fading in to the west, darkness started enveloping the campus at Morehouse and the patiently waiting competitors.  Finally, the AREA 12 Manger revealed the remaining scores and final standings.  Nease HS finished in the top spot, with Luella earning the second spot.  Although TP mounted a valiant comeback, Middleburg grabbed number three, with us ending up at number four.  At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, the Area Manager announced that not only was Nease HS and Luealla HS going to represent AREA 12, but this year the third place finisher would also.  Being good sports, we wished the top three good luck at the NJROTC National Academic, Athletic, and Drill Championship.

 

We placed in the top five following categories:

Unarmed Basic - 3rd place

Personnel Inspection - 4th place

Armed Exhibition - 4th place

Color Guard - 4th place

Drill Overall - 4th place

Overall - 4th place

 

Although this wasn't the domination of our opposition that we had expected, it did teach me one thing.  Our cadets are capable of going toe to toe against any school in NJROTC and with a bit of fine tuning, they will be very competitive in not only drill competitions next year, but many other aspects of education and life.

 

Master Gunnery Sergeant Robinson is to be commended for guiding our hard-working and spirited cadets to the AREA 12 Drill Championship for the school's fourth consecutive year in the row.  We thank TP's administration and faculty for their support, strength, and patience this year, because without you, this huge achievement and everything else we do would not be possible.  Lastly, DCPS's fine representatives are to be recognized for their encouragement and counseling this year.

 

Vr,