Ten cadets from the Holmes County High School JROTC program traveled to Jacksonville, Fla. to present the national colors and opened up the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers pre-season NFL football game at TIAA Bank Field on Aug. 20.
The ten cadets that were selected to attend the game were chosen from 17 outstanding and dedicated cadets that gave up over a week of their summer to attend and graduate from the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge.
Six cadets received the honor to present the national colors during the national anthem to start the second week of NFL pre-season football.
Commanding the Color Guard was cadet 1st Sgt. Autumn Poulson. Carrying the state flag was 2nd Lt. George Hauss. Carrying the rifles were cadets Capt. Quin Williams and Cadet Haylee Nallick. Carrying the sabers were cadets 2nd Lt. Blake Hundley and 2nd Lt. Sophia Pollard.
The other four cadets present to observe the game were cadets 2nd Lt. Gracie Snowden and Gage Lamb, Sgt. Colton Jones and Lt. Col. Caleb Weiler. All ten cadets were presented with a Jaguar Coin of Excellence.
“It’s an honor to work at my alma mater and represent the United States Army, and I enjoy it when my JROTC program cadets get a chance to make precious memories conducting such an honorable mission,” said 1st Sgt. Randy Burlew.
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the game 16-15 over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Color Guard cadets made memories that will last a lifetime.