Jenkins County High School JROTC wins big at region

Members of the Jenkins County High School JROTC are, from left, first row: CSM Hayward Thompson, Brianna Joiner, Dee Dee Davis, Ra'Shon Brady, Marques Moody, Ebony Jeff, Carneisha Bell and COL Ken Wade; and second row: Kori Hering, Paul Salter, Lewis Williams, Superintendent Joan Blackwood, Courtney Johnson, Steven Barber, Andres Jeronimo, La'Tranese Sapp and Demetrius Cutter. (Photo contributed)

The Jenkins County High School (JCHS) War Eagles Drill Team and Color Guard marched into history on a cold, windy Saturday, March 8, at Southeast Bulloch High School. The team was cheered on by Jenkins County School Superintendent, Joan Blackwood, with her family along with parents and relatives of drill team members.

Competing in their first Region Championship in the newly formed region, the War Eagles won seven first place awards, eight second place awards and three third place awards. In a field of seven schools, JCHS outpaced all other entries in the number of overall awards taken. All 17 award winners qualify for the Georgia Army JROTC Drill Team Championships to be held at Fort Gordon (Augusta) March 22 at 8 a.m. Admission to the championship meet is free. Please come out and support these outstanding War Eagles.

The breakdowns of the winning categories are: 1st Place Individual Exhibition Female: Brianna Joiner; 1st Place Dual Exhibition Female: Brianna Joiner & Kori Hering; 1st Place Dual Exhibition Male: Ra'Shon Brady & Marques Moody; 1st Place Squad Exhibition Female; 1st Place Squad Exhibition Male; 1st Place Squad Armed Regulation Female 1st Place Platoon Armed Exhibition Male Mixed; 2nd Place Unarmed Knockout Drill: La'Tranese Sapp; 2nd Place Individual Exhibition Female: Kori Hering; 2nd Place Dual Exhibition Female: Courtney Johnson & La'Tranese Sapp; 2nd Place Color Guard Female; 2nd Place Squad Armed Regulation Male; 2nd Place Squad Unarmed Regulation Male; 2nd Place Platoon Armed Regulation Male Mixed; 2nd Place Platoon Unarmed Regulation Male Mixed; 3rd Place Squad Unarmed Regulation Female; and 3rd Place Color Guard Male.

Members of the Jenkins County Army JROTC Drill Team are: Steven Barber, Carneisha Bell, Ra'Shon Brady, Demetrius Cutter, Dee Dee Davis, Kori Hering, Ebony Jeff, Andres Jeronimo, Courtney Johnson, Brianna Joiner, Marques Moody, Paul Salter, La'Tranese Sapp and Lewis Williams. Managers for the team are Chris Carter, Dante Daniels and Tay Taylor. Fernando Gomez is expected to rejoin the team prior to the State Championship Drill Meet.

A special HOOOOAAH!! Goes out to Dee Dee Davis who stepped in to fill a critical vacancy with just two days practice before taking the field on Saturday. Without Cadet Staff Sergeant Davis' stepping forward in a timely manner, the War Eagles Drill Team would not have been able to participate in six of the above events and would not have qualified for the State Drill Meet.