Orange High School has a popular Marine Corps JROTC program, with more than 100 students participating each year since its inception in 1997.
This year, the OHS cadets – under instructors Major Ian Santos and Major Sgt. Ed Aguilar, both are retired Marines – have won numerous awards at competitive drill meets.
The combined OHS Marine Corps JROTC Drill Teams at the Southwest Regional Drill Meet: Major Ian Santos, Lance Cpl. Donald Vu, Staff Sgt. Patrick Raras, Lance Cpl. Michael Woodland, 1st Sgt. Jeremy Cruz, PFC Erwin Ramirez, Cpl. Jacob Lorenzo, 2nd Lt. Alinne Rivera, 2nd Lt. Gabriel Honore, Capt. Kelly Banderas, Pvt. Danny De La Cruz, 1st Lt. Vanessa Flores, Sgt. Natali Flores, Pvt. Alexandra Arcelles, 1st Lt. Arianna Mejia, 2nd Lt. Angelica Alvarez, Pvt. Mya Moreno, 2nd Lt. Samuel Wilson, Pvt. Amy Castillo, Pvt. Alondra Granillo, Sgt. Reyna Sanchez, Cpl. Tanya Azpeita, and 1st Lt. Kaila Saole. (Courtesy of OHS JROTC)The Orange High Marine Corps JROTC Unarmed Drill Team won the championship at the Southwest Regional Drill Meet, from left: Lance Cpl. Donald Vu, Lance Cpl Michael Woodland, 1st Sgt. Jeremy Cruz, 2nd Lt. Gabriel Honore, Capt. Kely Baneras, Cpl. Jacob Lorenzo, Sgt. Natali Flores, 1stLt. Arianna Mejia, Pvt. Danny De La cruz, 2nd Lt. Agelica Alvarez, 2nd Lt. Alinne Rivera and Sgt. Reyna Sanchez. (Courtesy of OHS JROTC)The OHS Marine Corps JROTC Southwest Regional Drill Meet Championship Color Guard includes: Sgt. Reyna Sanchez, Sgt. Natali Flores, Capt. Kelly Banderas, and 2nd Lt. Angelica Alvarez. (Courtesy of OHS JROTC)The third place Orange High Marine Corps JROTC Armed Drill Team pose with their trophy at the Southwest Regional Drill Meet: Lance Cpl. Donald Vu, Lance Cpl. Micahel Woodland, 1st Sgt. Jeremy Cruz, PFC. Erwin Ramirez, 2nd Lt. Gabriel Honore, Staff Sgt. Patrick Raras, Cpl. Jacob Lorenzo, 1stLt. Arianna Mejia, 1stLt. Vanessa Flores, Pvt. Danny De La Cruz, 2nd Lt. Alinne Rivera, 2nd Lt. Samuel Wilson, 1st Lt. Kaila Saole. (Courtesy of OHS JROTC)Katie Thomas, as “Sally” and Dallas Johnson as “Jack” were the leads in the Villa Park High School musical performance of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” (Courtesy fo VPHS)Show Caption of Expand
At the Southwest Regional JROTC Drill Meet in Henderson, Nevada, one of the two Color Guards, commanded by Cadet Sgt. Natali Flores took first place overall, and the OHS Unarmed Team, commanded by Cadet Capt. Kelly Banderas, received first place. The Armed Team, under the command of Cadet Staff Sgt. Patrick Raras, received a third place for Regulation Drill.
At the Sweetwater High School Drill Meet for JROTC units throughout Southern California, the Orange High team took first place trophies for Color Guard, Individual Drill and the highly-coveted Armed Regulation Drill. The teams also earned second place trophies for Unarmed Inspection, its second Color Guard unit, and a third place trophy for Unarmed Regulation Drill.
Students in the JROTC program receive not only exposure to the military, but develop leadership skills, character and self-discipline. Ethics, responsibility, self-reliance, teamwork and discipline are emphasized. OHS cadets also participate in community service activities throughout the year. Students learn rappelling, marksmanship, physical fitness and problem-solving techniques.
The elective program provides credits, a higher rank for cadets who enlist in the armed forces after graduation, the opportunity for college ROTC scholarships or ROTC credit at colleges, and possible nomination for an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy for outstanding cadets. The Marine Corps provides basic funding for the OHS program, but relies on donations to fund drill meets and field trips.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Villa Park High School Performing Arts Academy staged the popular “The Nightmare Before Christmas” just before the winter break. Katie Thomas played the lead role of “Sally” with Dallas Johnson and Aidan Fowler alternating the lead role of “Jack” during performances.
The cast included Luke Urroz as The Mayor; Jake Pooley as Dr. Finkelstein; Victor Callahan as Igor; Abigail Garica as Oogie Boogie; Haysam Gavino as Zero; Ben Griffithe as Lock, Paige Horton as Shock; Pauline Clarinval and Angel Fierro trading off performances as Barrel; and Cricket Sorcia playing Sandy Claws and the Gardener.
The ensemble included Maxine Bridges, Dani Bush, Madison Hembree, Paige Heredia, Brian Packer, Miguel Samson and AJ Torres, with set design by Katie Bush and Savannah Jones.
Checking in with themselves
Former students in Jeannie Krever’s 2007-08 second grade class at Villa Park Elementary found a sweet surprise in the mail this week: a letter from their younger self.
The students, now all seniors at local high schools, had filled out the topics “Me Now,” “My World,” “What I Do” and “My Future,” describing their life and who they were at the time, and their dreams for the future. Hannah Montana seemed to have a big influence at that time.
Baseball Golf Tournament
The El Modena High baseball boosters will host the program’s 14th annual baseball golf tournament on Jan. 29 at the Yorba Linda Country Club.
This event, which includes a golf ball drop, silent and live auctions and an awards dinner, is the primary fundraiser for the baseball program. Corporate and private sponsors are needed; contact Booster President Chris Esperanza at president@elmobaseball.org. Golfers may register at www.elmobaseball.org/golf-tournament.
Send your photos and school news to Andrea Mills at OCSchoolNews@aol.com.
Source: Oc Register
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