The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps’ (MCJROTC) military drill team has been selected to compete in the MCJROTC National Drill Meet on April 21, 2018, at Daniel Boone High School in Gray, Tennessee. The Wolves are one of 15 schools from across the country who will compete in five different military drill events to determine the best MCJROTC Drill Team in the United States. There are 250 MCJROTC schools distributed across just about every state in the union. The trip will be conducted at no cost to Michigan City Area Schools or the cadets. Transportation and lodging will be funded by the Marine Corps, and meals will be provided by the MCHS MCJROTC Booster Club.
“This is a great accomplishment for our cadets,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “With so many good drill teams in our region of 50 schools, it is really an honor to be one of the three schools selected, and the only one out to the Midwest.”
Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, also lauded the cadets for their efforts in being selected, but also noted that the cadets must continue to improve in practice. “This will be the most competitive meet that any of us have ever been involved in. Every practice needs to be a solid one if we are to challenge to win the meet and be the best in the country.”
The cadets have already competed in six meets, with two more scheduled in Indianapolis on March 3rd and Fort Wayne on March 17th. On the Saturday in between those meets, March 10th, the cadets will be supporting the Indiana High School Boys Basketball Regional Playoffs being held at MCHS, as well as marching in the Michigan City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.