Lakeside, Evans teams capture titles in Georgia JROTC event

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Linda Gary said her Lakeside High School cadets spent more time with her than their parents this competition season.

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Gary's team won state titles in squad Team Exhibition, Dual Exhibition and Individual Exhibition at the Georgia Army JROTC State Championships held at Fort Gordon on March 21. Gary said the team's commitment to itself made the squad successful.

Gary held a sleepover for squad members the night before each competition, either at the school or a hotel if the team was on the road.

"They all go to bed at a decent hour," Gary said. "When they get up, I have them all there. They spend a lot of time together, so that builds camaraderie amongst the team."

The Panthers' champion exhibition squad was led by Commander Shaun Roberts. Jose Garcia and Michael Lett combined to win the Dual Exhibition, and Lakeside's Joseph Davis won the Individual Exhibition.

The Evans High School male drill team won the Overall Platoon state title by finishing second in Standard Platoon Drill and first in Exhibition Platoon Drill. The platoon, led by junior captain Cliff Bozeman, captured the school's fifth consecutive State Platoon title.

The state championship was the eighth in 12 years under retired U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Sammie Stokes.

Evans' girls team, led by junior Capt. Tanika Boston, was the Overall Platoon state champion after finishing first in Standard Female Platoon Regulation and first in Standard Female Platoon Exhibition. Senior Tiffany Lykins won an individual title in Unarmed Knockout, and sophomore Faith Crews won in Armed Individual Exhibition.

Gary said part of the area's JROTC success is that Evans and Lakeside are among the only teams competing at the national drill meet, held May 1-4 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Panthers were first nationally in Team Exhibition in 2007 and finished fourth last year.

"I'm looking for them to bring home a first-place trophy this year as well," Gary said.