HOPKINS, S.C. — Every step taken has paved the way for the Lower Richland High School JROTC drill team to become state champions.
“I already knew everything was going to be okay that morning because everybody came in, they were ready to go. they were excited and they were locked in,” Co-Captain Keiona Hartley said.
This is Jasmine and Keiona Hartley's third year competing on the drill team and their first as leaders.
“It’s taught me how to listen but also give advice on certain stuff. with being a leader on a team, you have to know your people, you have to bond with your people. you have to know what’s going to get their attention and how you can help them,” Hartley said.
While teammates celebrate their second consecutive win at the state championship, their work has only just begun.
“I think we want to redeem ourselves from last year, we didn’t do so well there and i think our team has grown a lot since last year so we’re looking to really compete this year,” Sgt. First Class Tracy Vaulx said.
This is Sgt. First Class Vaulx's 14th year coaching the drill team. He says there’s one thing that makes every year so special.
“The students. Just to see them compete and just to see them grow from not wanting to be on the drill team to once they get there they actually become the leaders of the program. that’s the joy that I get out of it,” he said.
This March the drill team hopes to compete in the regional competition at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. This will be the third consecutive year the cadets compete at regionals.