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| EAST AURORA NJROTC “REPEAT" CHAMPIONS |
EAST AURORA NJROTC “REPEAT" CHAMPIONS March 8, 2004
It looked like a moving “Spaghetti Ball” of red and black as the cadets of East Aurora High School’s “Tomcat Navy”
celebrated their coveted prize … “Overall Champions” and Number One status of Area Three NJROTC Drill teams for 2004.
Sixteen of the best schools in six midwestern states met to compete at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL,
on Saturday, March 06, 2004. In the huge, spit-polished drill hall the “Red Ropers” (drill instructors) judged the
cadets on precision drill maneuvers, academics, physical fitness, and military bearing and appearance. It was a long,
exhausting day filled with cheers, fears, and tears … and then came the awards ceremony. The Tomcats of East High pulled
off the unthinkable, “placing” in all seven categories! As the results were announced and trophies awarded the momentum
mounted … East Aurora: Armed exhibition/5th place; Unarmed exhibition/5th place; Armed regulation/3rd place; Unarmed
regulation/5th place; Uniform inspection/4th place; Physical fitness/1st place; Color Guard/1st place; and Academic/1st
place! The Tomcats could hardly restrain themselves as the “overall” trophies were awarded … 3rd overall/Wheeling, IL;
2nd overall/North Chicago, IL; and 1st overall/representing Area Three at the Navy Nationals in Pensacola, Florida,
“East Aurora, Illinois”!
After recovering from the mayhem, East’s NJROTC staff began preparing the cadets and their families for the prestigious
event. LCDR McNabb, East’s Senior Naval Science Instructor reports that there is a tough road ahead. “Last year we were
newcomers to the Nationals. We did our very best and finished #20 of 25 schools. A top ten finish is a tremendous goal.
Some of these schools have been competing for 50 years”. “Approximately $10,000.00 will be needed to pay for transportation,
lodging, and meals”.
Master Chief Petty Officer Ken Mrnak is the Drill Team Supervisor and Chief Petty Officer Rick Burke is the Color
Guard Supervisor. Cadet Commander Roberto Gonzalez is the Drill Team Commander while Cadet Lieutenant Amega Wilson
is the Color Guard Commander. Approximately 50 cadets will make the “repeat” trip to Pensacola, Florida on
March 31 – April 03, 2004.
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