Mercer County Technical: Army JROTC STEM Academy Makes History with First Place Finish in Inaugural Drill and Ceremony Competition

Mercer County Technical Schools Cadets march at the Central and South New Jersey LET I Drill and Ceremony Competition in Bayville, New Jersey. (Photo by Leonardo Ramos, Army Instructor)

Written by Javier A. Cortéz, Senior Army Instructor

On Jan. 10, the Mercer County Technical Schools Army JROTC STEM Academy Cadets made history by earning first place at the Central and South New Jersey LET I Drill and Ceremony Competition, the first competitive event ever entered by this newly established program.

With only 19 Cadets, the MCTS NDCC JROTC team competed against 12 well-established high school JROTC programs, many with years of experience and significantly larger Cadet corps. Despite being the smallest and newest program in attendance, the Cadets demonstrated exceptional discipline, resilience, grit, and teamwork qualities that set them apart throughout the competition.

“Before the competition, I was really nervous that we were not going to place,” said Cadet Emilyn Cardona. “I told myself that we had to believe we would win. Being able to bond during drill and placing first was the best part. I am truly proud of how much we have improved since our first practice.”

This victory represents a defining milestone for the MCTS Army JROTC STEM Academy and serves as a powerful affirmation of what can be achieved through hard work, trust in the process, and belief in one another. Throughout their preparation, Cadets and instructors embraced a shared mantra: “Hard work and dedication will always overcome talent and experience.”

“I felt a true sense of unity with my JROTC family,” said Cadet Carolina Davila. “I felt accomplished, happy, and proud of my squad. I can’t wait for the next competition.”

That commitment was evident in both performance and spirit, as the Cadets executed their drill movements with precision while supporting one another as a cohesive team.