MAJ. Craig Redfearn, senior Army instructor of JROTC at MacArthur High School, believes in themes. So far, they seem to be working,
His theme this year was “We are going for four to settle the score”.
His JROTC battalion reached that goal March 29 when it competed at the Oklahoma Drill and Color Guard Teams State Championships in Oklahoma City and was named the Army JROTC Drill and Color Guard Teams State Champions for the fourth straight year. The battalion was also named Overall Armed Forces Drill and Color Guard Teams State Champions, a title it has claimed two out of the last three years.
The Highlander Battalion beat out seven other teams from across the state to claim the titles, including programs from the Army, Marines and Air Force.
“The score has been settled,” Redfearn said of an achievement that has not occurred before.
Redfearn attributed the continued success of the program to God and hard work.
“All good things come from above. God has blessed this program and given us good kids,” Redfearn said. “As a result of their hard work, we are in a season of blessing, but we know it won’t last forever.
“The teams have overcome and come together. They peaked at the right time. I’m super proud of these kids.”
Cadet LTC Abigail Benoit, battalion commander, attributed the success to setting and following a certain standard for the program.
“Mostly hard work and everyone showing up early for practice, them taking the extra step,” she said of what contributed to the success of the program. “The hard work and time I spent here at the building paid off.”
Benoit is the only member of the battalion who has competed and won State all four years.
“It feels great,” Benoit said. “It feels awesome. It’s an achievement not a lot of other kids can say they have.”
To celebrate their success, Redfearn plans to hang another banner in the JROTC building. He also hopes to raise funds so the cadets can buy championship rings. He is so confident funds will be found that students were being sized for their rings earlier this week. Students will conduct a fundraiser to help pay for their rings.
A ceremony has been set for May 1 to hang new banners commemorating the accomplishment. Redfearn also hopes to have rings ready before school is out next month.
“It’s an awesome way to close things out,” he said.
Redfearn has his sights set on greater accomplishments. He already has his theme for next year: “Let’s go for five to keep it alive”.
Results of the Oklahoma Drill and Color Guard Teams State Championships held March 29 in Oklahoma City
In the UnArmed Division, the UnArmed Drill Team, commanded by cadet LTC Abigail Benoit, placed first in the Inspection and Exhibition Phases. Cadets Elizabeth Renfro, Ian Barrois, Austin Bond won first, second and third, respectively, in the Armed Knockout Drill against more than 150 other Armed Forces cadets.
In the Armed Drill Division, the Armed Drill Team placed first in the Inspection phase and third in the Regulation and Exhibition phases. The Armed Drill Team is commanded by cadet MAJ Scott Mahrer.
In the Armed Solo Exhibition Drill category, cadet CPT Nicholas Godfrey claimed the title of No. 1 Armed Exhibition Drill Soloist in Oklahoma. Cadet CPT Ian Barrois placed second.
Cadets Nicholas Godfrey and Ian Barrois won first place in the Armed Exhibition Dual Category.
The Armed (Male) Color Guard Team, commanded by cadet MAJ Scott Mahrer won first place overall. The UnArmed (Female) Color Guard Team, commanded by cadet 1LT Lillian-Dove Meyers, placed second overall.
The Highlander Battalion also won first place overall in the Armed and UnArmed Drill Divisions.