DoDEA

PEACHTREE CITY, GA — March 2, 2011 — For the ninth consecutive year, the Quantico Middle/High School Marine Corps JROTC Drill Team took first place at the Mount Vernon High School (Alexandria, Va.) Invitational Drill Meet. The team competed Saturday, March 6, against eight teams from Virginia and Maryland, according to Quantico High School’s Senior Marine Instructor retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Paul D. Roy.

The Quantico MS/HS Drill Team also won the following awards: third place in the color guard; second place in drill with arms; first place in drill without arms; and first place in the personnel inspection and knowledge event. Quantico’s Drill Team Commander Meredith Bell was selected as the “Most Outstanding Drill Team Commander.”

“I am convinced that the Quantico MS/HS JROTC program is one of the very finest. Their string of competition accolades is very impressive. In addition to the recent results of the competition, I am equally impressed with the number of community service hours completed by each member of the squad,” said Mr. Michael Gould, New York/Virginia/Puerto Rico District Superintendent. “It will sound somewhat cliche, but this specific program is a prime example of how hard work and dedication combined with effective instruction and caring leadership is a pure recipe for success.”

In addition to Cadet Meredith Bell, the following cadets are also members of the award winning drill team: Joe Bianca, Deontray Blackson, Marybeth Karjian, Shane Johnson, Michelle Miller, Hayley Gates, Chris McNair, Rayoni Owens, Emily Mitchell, Trevor Tafolla, Cortney Thompson, Chase King, Amanda Tafolla and Ron Harrell. They were supported at the day-long competition by many students, parents, guardians and relatives.

“The entire MCB Quantico community is proud of the MCJROTC Drill Team. We congratulate them on their 1st place performance. It is truly inspiring to witness the dedication and time that goes into being the top drill team at the meet,” said Quantico Middle/High School Principal Michael Hollier. “We wish the drill team and their instructors, Lt. Col. Roy and Sgt. Maj. Jose Diaz, the best of luck at the upcoming Region One Drill Team competition (March 19-20) in Glouster, Mass.” The Quantico Drill Team has won the event the past two years and hopes to add to their record when they compete against 30 teams from Virginia to New Hampshire.