Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Carson High School Naval Junior ROTC Cadet 3rd Platoon Cmdr. Megan Hanke performs with the Armed Drill Team during Wednesday's annual military inspection Wednesday.
Although falling snow changed the Naval Junior ROTC's plans on Wednesday and forced them into the Carson High School gym, it didn't keep the 128 high school students from a performing well at their annual review.
"Considering we were in the gym instead of the football field, it went pretty good," said Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Michael Moltz, a junior.
Since students had practiced their routines in the football field, the drill teams modified their routines to the school gym .
"I though it was great," said parent Kelly Atkinson, whose freshman son Mike is a 1st Platoon and drill team member. "I was very proud of my son."
During their drills, members of both the unarmed and armed teams kept their eyes straight ahead and followed the instructions of their leaders.
Each drill ended with a "CHS!" cry. Devan Schrouth, a freshman NJROTC member of the 4th Platoon, said he was excited to be on the best overall platoon, of which there are four at the school.
"We practiced our drill every day," he said, explaining whey he thought they won. "I think everyone in our platoon showed up."
His platoon leader, Cody Stokes, constantly reminded them about the annual inspection and made them practice daily, he said. Stokes was one of many students to be honored with an inspection award.
Bill and Shirley Knight attended the ceremony to see their freshman son, Cameron, who is in the 1st platoon. Bill Knight said was impressed by the two drill teams.
"I thought they did a very good job, both the unarmed and the armed one," he said.
Dorothy Knight, the grandmother of Knight and aunt of Atkinson, saw two family members perform at her first-ever NJROTC inspection.
"I was very impressed, very proud," she said. "The preciseness, the square corners, everything was in unison. I was amazed."
At the ceremony, Cmdr. Paul Fisher awarded the 1st Platoon with the best drill award and the 4th Platoon with the best platoon inspection award.
Later this year, the NJROTC unit will find out if it received the Distinguished Unit Award, which is given to the top 30 percent of schools inspected in the area. The school has won the award for the past four years.
Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at mo'neill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.
Other students winning personal inspection awards
• Diane Eichenberger, Trace Evans, Daniel Hoefert, Erin Kellogg and Leah Taboada of the 1st Platoon
• Catherine Graybill, Tyler Hughes and Karena Shobert of the 2nd Platoon
• Courtney Chase, Nathan James, Olivia Lesperance, Katie Ludwick, Joshua Martino and Ardin Patterson of the 3rd Platoon
• Aleksander Bukowy, Jared Elkins, Michael Johnson, Katelyn O'Higgins, Jordan Snyder and Karina Teutli of the 4th Platoon
• Matthew Digangi, Catheryne Frey, Rachel Harvick, Don Hughes, Michael Huynh, Cassandra Laberee, Sarah Stadler and Michael Moltz of the NJROTC student staff
