San Antonio High School Sweeps Army Drill Championships

Ronald Reagan High School's Army JROTC drill team from San Antonio just proved that dedication beats doubt every single time, sweeping both major divisions at the Army JROTC National Drill Championships in Daytona Beach on May 1.

The team took home first place trophies in both the Armed and Unarmed divisions, competing against 80 teams from 30 states and one U.S. territory. Their precision and teamwork earned them the top spot in a competition that tests cadets across six different drill categories.

For the armed team, this marks their second consecutive championship. But the real story is the unarmed team's comeback. After a disappointing regional performance earlier this season, they set their sights on proving critics wrong.

"We wanted to show the world of drill that when others have doubts about you, use that as motivation to work even harder and prove them wrong," said Cadet Kaitlyn Cyr, the unarmed team's commander. Her team trained relentlessly to match the prestige of their armed team colleagues.

Cadet Carson Hinkson, who led the armed team to their repeat victory, knew winning twice would take more than reputation. "This victory showed that no odds are too great and no challenge is too hard to overcome," he said. "Through sheer dedication we did what others thought was impossible."

Why This Inspires

These students aren't just mastering complex drill routines. They're learning skills that will serve them for life. Col. Karen Rutka, who presented the trophies, highlighted what truly matters about their achievement.

"You demonstrated your ability to work cohesively as a team today," Rutka told the cadets. "You showed your resilience, your drive, and your determination to get to this level. Those are the skills that will take you far in life."

Their coach, retired Master Sgt. John Tijerina, credits San Antonio's competitive drill culture for pushing his students to excellence. The city hosts several nationally competitive teams, creating an environment where students know they must earn their success.

"I let my cadets know up front that it takes hard work, commitment, and dedication if they want to win a championship," Tijerina said. "Nothing worth having comes easy."

These young people proved that setbacks fuel comebacks, and excellence is a choice made daily in practice.