DAPHNE, Ala.— Daphne High School’s JROTC unit’s new motto, “Acta Non Verba”—Latin for “Actions Not Words”—has inspired the squad to accomplish some impressive feats this year, beginning with the drill team earning the Air Force Association’s first prize at a competition held in March at Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville, La.

Winning the trophy, which the group received just a few weeks ago, makes it the No. 1 team in Alabama—quite an accomplishment, considering the drill team didn’t even exist this time last year.

“The drill team had not competed in a year and a half,” Lt. Col. David Landfair said. 

“We didn’t have a team in the fall because we didn’t have the numbers for it,” group Cmdr. Shannon McCombs said.

The order to reestablish the unit came from Daphne High School Principal Don Blanchard, who sent his inspiring message to the team through Landfair.

“Trojans will compete,” Landfair recalled Blanchard saying. “It’s good for them.”

The drill team—comprised of 16 students—competed in Mandeville against crews ranging from 20 to 100 members.

“Some schools have two teams,” McCombs said. “We were the smallest team there.”

McCombs said the cadre was daunted by such stiff odds, but intimidation turned into inspiration on the way to capturing the competition’s highest honor.

“It was intimidating but we always pull through in the end,” McCombs said.

The crew was judged on its record of community action, cadet and student performance and school support, according to Tech. Sgt. David Mendoza.

McCombs, the unit’s leader, was most proud of how her teammates worked together.

“I was proud of everybody because they all came together,” she said. “Our two drill-team commanders worked really hard. Everyone’s really proud.”

Mendoza and Cadets Brad Thompson and Morgyn Nabors received the award at a luncheon last month at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery. The school’s unit—begun in 1993—received a traveling trophy and a $500 check for their achievement.

“The money goes into the cadet general fund to pay for things like buses,” Mendoza said.

“I’m very proud of our JROTC program,” Blanchard said. “For that group to be recognized as No. 1 in the state reflects very well on the school and the community of Daphne as well.”

Winning the March competition is one of many accomplishments the JROTC unit has made this year.

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Landfair attributes the increase in scores to the newly-created Kitty Hawk tutoring program.

“Kitty Hawk is our JROTC national honor society,” he said. “Students come before school on Wednesday mornings and provide peer tutoring for those who want or need help.”

The Daphne High JROTC members have no intention of slacking, now that they’ve been recognized as the best crew in Alabama.

“(The unit) is now trying to walk the walk,” Landfair said. “They have a cadet code that they have memorized that calls for them to not lie, cheat or steal and to bring credit for themselves, their school and (Air Force JROTC),” Landfair said.

“Community service, good grades and treating others well is doing just that.”

About the JROTC

The goal of the JROTC corps is to instill a sense of patriotism and service, according to Landfair.

The unit has promoted patriotism by presenting the colors at Veterans Day events, freshman orientation, city parades and Daphne High football games; also, its members have led the Pledge of Allegiance at local ceremonies throughout the year.

Community efforts have included volunteering on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” repairing two homes in Mobile for underprivileged families; and the squad led Daphne High’s first school-wide effort to collect cell phones for troops stationed overseas, sending 75 phones to service men and women so they can stay in touch with loved ones.

ROTC, or Reserve Officer Training Core, programs—established in the National Defense Act of 1916—were created to support the service academies in developing leaders for the armed forces.

“It’s a program to help young people become successful adults,” senior Rosie Guthrie said.

“(ROTC) is what turns an average student into a better citizen because it holds them to a higher standard,” senior Colleen Kennedy said.

Students decide to join the ROTC program for a variety of reasons; some are looking for discipline while others like the connection that comes from being part of something bigger than they are.

“Students want a greater sense of discipline and want to belong to something,” junior Philip Dyer said.

“It teaches you leadership,” sophomore Cameron Stockman said.

“Plus, you get the opportunity for scholarships,” Nabors, a junior, said.

The program is based on three principles: integrity, service before self and excellence in everything one does.

There’s a commitment that one must adhere to if he or she is going to be successful in the program.

“We have one uniform day each week,” Guthrie said. “Every week, we march. Everyone gets to be a leader, even the new people.”

The lessons taught in ROTC are not strictly for the high school arena; they are to be carried with the individual as they progress into higher education and the work force.

“I think that what each cadet learns in here they’ll take with them when they go to college,” McCombs said.