Pendleton High School and Anderson Lights of Hope will be hosting the second annual Upstate Regional Drill Championships on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Anderson County Civic Center. The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps has units in Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. These branches will be represented by students who have spent hundreds of hours training for this type of event.
The Upstate Regional Drill Competition will feature up to 20 JROTC units, an estimated 600 cadets. The cadets are from High Schools located in Southeast United States. Drill competition is designed to showcase military drill precision and foster an atmosphere of team and individual competition, while promoting true sportsmanship.
Cadets will compete in inspection, regulation, color guard and exhibition events, both armed and unarmed. Schools can partake in all four events. Some of the best JROTC schools and individuals from around the Southeast have been invited to compete in this event.
Trophies, medals and scholarships are presented to the First, Second and Third place winners in each category. The “Knock Out” event will have one single winner and is an individual competition to see who is best at the event.
The goal of JROTC is to provide students with a quality character, citizenship, and leadership development program.
ALL Veterans and active military are encouraged to attend this event. Members of the National Guard Unit in Anderson, area Recruiters, Clemson ROTC Officers, and other active military soldiers will serve as judges. Council, Senators, Congressmen, Representatives, Governors, and other elected offices have been invited to attend.
Schools participating include: Wren High School; Southside High School; Berea High School; York High School; Clover High School; East Henderson High School; Belton-Honea Path High School; Irmo High School; Easley High School; Byrnes High School; R-S Central High School; Dorman High School; Greenwood High School; Boiling Springs High School; Westside High School; Chapman High School; and Union County High School.
The doors will open at 8:00 am and the first event begins at 9:00 am. Awards will be given out around 4:00 pm. Admission is free, but donations will be taken at the event.
For more information, please contact Jordan LeNeve, Event Coordinator at Anderson Lights of Hope at 803.807.3000 or jordan.leneve@gmail.com.