The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) Drill Team competed in the Chicagoland Military Drill Meet held on Saturday, February 3, 2018, in Arlington Heights, IL. 23 schools from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio participated, to include perennial Navy Nationals Finalists East Aurora (IL), Zion Benton (IL) and Northmont (Ohio). MCHS earned a first place in Color Guard, a second place in Armed Basic, a fourth place in Unarmed Basic, and a third place in 1st Year Squad. Those units were commanded by, respectively, Cadets Gunnery Sergeant Griffin Williams, First Lieutenant Tyler Stockley, Major James Steinhagen, and Lance Corporal Julia Ringstead.
“To compete at such a high level, with so many excellent schools, is really a tribute to our cadets,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “There is not much room for error when competing against schools like East Aurora, Zion Benton, and Northmont, so our cadets were really on their game today.”
Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, complimented the cadets on their dedication and ability to overcome adversity. “We were missing two starters today due to sickness, but we had younger cadets step up. Everyone, starters and back-ups, work hard in practice, and that hard work paid off today.”
The cadets’ next meet is at Pike High School in Indianapolis on March 3, 2018. That will be the first big event in a busy month that includes the Regional Basketball Tournament, the Disabled American Veterans Awards Night, and another drill competition at Concordia High School in Fort Wayne.