When it comes to winning awards in high school, most people’s thoughts are of athletics, then academics and fine arts. But there are other groups. At their last few drill meets, ROTC brought home many first, second and third place trophies for FHMS.

At their recent navy meet on October 20 at the Harmon Center in Lewisville, the male color guard team placed first in inspection and third overall. The first year regulation drill team entered the unarmed regulation drill category but did not place.

”From the moment I was called to attention at the Lewisville meet, to the moment I was told to Fall Out, I felt like I was more than a person or a cadet. I felt like I was part of a team. That was my very first drill meet and I remember every moment like it happened yesterday.” freshman Basil Kumar said.

At the Keller ISD Thunderbolt meet, a total of twelve teams competed. There, the junior cadets not only won the Grand Champion trophy; they also placed second in the male physical training category and first in the inspection, male color guard, armed regulation, sabers, female physical training, unarmed regulation, and  unarmed exhibition categories.

“I think the first year team did an amazing job at Keller.” said Sophomore Cody Jones. “The fact that they learned a new sequence and new moves in less than three hours just amazes me. And then, they get first place against varsity teams that have practiced for years! It simply amazes me; I’m so proud to be their commander.”

Individual awards were also presented to FMHS students. Senior Jesse Pearson placed second in male push-ups and third in male physical training overall. In the female and male sit-ups category, senior Jessica Falk placed first, and junior Zack Stark placed third. Finally, freshman Sarah Pavilk placed first in female physical training overall and push-ups as well as third in female sit-ups.

During the meet at Denton Ryan on September 22, twenty-one teams from three states competed in eleven events. The FMHS AFJROTC placed third overall. Their inspection and saber teams finished in first place, with the first-year team coming in second, and the female color guard in third.

“In the Sky Raider Invitational, which was my very first drill meet, I was very nervous, then after the team went out and competed, it was so much fun. I felt very confident. In that meet we took second place and we all tried our hardest and prevailed,” Freshman Caden Driskill said.

In light of their recent achievements, ROTC is not a group to be overlooked. As a group, they can accomplish very impressive feats.