The sidelines grew in excitement on Friday, Oct. 3, as Manchester High School’s JROTC got them pumped up on the sidelines of the track and football field, for the Homecoming parade.
It was 4 p.m. on a cool autumn day as the Lancer Battalion got ready for the parade. Command Sargent Major, Trinton Meekins and First Sargent, Amy Sunun Camacho, got their participants hyped up and ready to start marching to the Manchester High School’s cross country track. They formed up into a line and marched down to Bailey Bridge Middle School’s bus loop to get prepared to show their school spirit.
After getting set up, they marched to the track. They got set up one last time before entering the track. As they marched, they called cadences loudly to get the school excited. The participants took a lap around the track to show their pride before exiting. They left the crowd buzzing with excitement for the Homecoming football game.
Brendan Jenkins was at the start of the line, holding a flag that showed who they were. After interviewing Jenkins, I got a feel for what it was like to be in his position. He told me that he was quite nervous and felt embarrassed to lead as he felt that all eyes were on him. “My favorite part of the parade was for it to be over,” said Jenkins.
I then asked him why he thought it was important for electives like the JROTC to participate in these activities. He answered by saying he thought it was important because it shows our school spirit. Jenkins was so excited to start the evening that he shared, “I ran myself and the flag into a tree while getting ready.”
Sunun was leading the group while calling the cadences. She walked alongside the group, making sure that everything was in order. After interviewing her, I found out what it’s like to lead that many people. “It felt amazing to lead the group, it made me excited to have all the eyes on us,” said Sunun.
She told me that she wasn’t nervous at all, in fact she said that it was quite the opposite! Her favorite part of the event was building the tank for the parade and calling cadences while marching. “I loved showing off my creativity, it made me feel proud of my work,” said Sunun. The tank she made for the parade took her two days straight. “It took me two days straight, no sleep, no breaks. Just determination and caffeine,” said Sunun.
Her favorite cadence was “Airborne.” She said that it was important to participate because it made them stand out, it showed the school who they are, and to get participation from the students in JROTC.
All in all, the parade was a success! The Manchester JROTC got what they wanted: public recognition and to show their school spirit! Thank you Manchester Lancer Battalion for participating and showing us what the Lancer JROTC is all about!
“We ride with pride, we strike with might, Lancer Battalion leads the fight!”
