By Princess Jones, Cadet Battalion Communication Officer
The Clemente Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) celebrated their Cadet Military Ball, on March 31, at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. The Cadet Military Ball is an annual requirement for JROTC cadets. Family, friends and all Clemente staff and teachers are invited to attend. The theme of this year’s Cadet Military Ball was Mardi Gras: A Masquerade Ball.
There were 180 cadets, family members, Clemente staff members, and friends who attended this year’s ball. The military ball is an army tradition, in which unit officers and soldiers are joined by their family and friends for an evening filled with tradition, a wonderful meal, dancing, and fun.
The formal part of the ball begins with the receiving line. As the guests enter the ballroom, they are greeted by the Battalion Commander, Rosa Ramirez, the Senior Army Instructor, Chief Silver, and their special guests. After all, guests enter the ballroom, the cadet staff members are introduced and enter under an arch formed by the saber (swords) team. The Color Guard presents the colors, followed by everyone lifting their glass (filled with water) in a toast to: the President of the United States, the members of the Corps of Cadets, and our family and friends. Narrated by Amari Rios, Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Chief Silver, SFC Lewis, and SFC Cunningham held a special ceremony to honor all soldiers who have given their lives in service to our nation.
After these short formal ceremonies, a great dinner was served, that included soup, salad, baked chicken, manicotti, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and cake. After dinner, SFC Lewis announced the mixing and serving of “The Grog”. The Grog is a type of punch, with ingredients that represent challenges and triumphs cadets endure throughout the school year. Ingredients included: orange juice, representing getting to school early in the morning; hot coffee and Coke, to represent what we drink on those long nights of studying; marshmallows that represent making our way through deep snow, on wintry mornings. Guests were invited to sample The Grog!!!
After the Grog, this year’s military court was crowned. This year’s military ball court included King- Rosa Ramirez; Queen- Barbara Jimenez-Soriano; Prince- Nathan Rosell; Princess- Yvette Rivera; Duke- Danielle Mrzena, Duchess- Kayla Santiago; Lord- Angel Crespo, ad Lady- Melissa Lazaro. Nathan Rosell, who recently transferred to Clemente said “I had so much fun at the ball. And I would like to thank everyone who voted for me, for Prince”.
After the presentation of the court, the DJ kept everyone on their feet with a wide variety of dance music, and cadets and friends took pictures in the photo booth. A great time was had by all!!!!