JROTC competed in the Battle of the Brazos in Waco along with nearly thirty other schools on Jan. 30. The Bronco Battalion, of which five teams contended, won an array of awards on both team and individual levels. The Battalion’s Physical Fitness Team won first place overall, with Commander David Caldwell achieving second place in Push Ups, and third in the Mile Run. Other awards included second place overall for Co-ed Color Guard and third for the Armed Drill Team.

“You get to meet new people and you get to see your own school [compete],” junior Veronica Castro, a cadet captain in JROTC, said. “It’s awesome because you don’t just see people in the army there; you see people in marine uniforms and people in air force uniforms.”

After their commanders introduced their team and asked for permission to use the drill pad, teams underwent inspection, where a judge determined how well they performed and how well they answered a series of questions.

“Sometimes they get in our face,” Castro said. “But it depends on which drill team it is.”

All but one Legacy team placed in competition, with medals ranging from fifth to first.

“I was surprised we didn’t place because we always place,” Castro said. “I was kind of sad.”

When the meet was over, the teams went out and relaxed, cooling off from a long day of hard work.

“It can get competitive, but when it’s over with, you go and have fun. We go out and eat and we talk. Here we’re like a family, and that’s what we do,” Castro said.