DAYTON, OH – While many students were enjoying a quiet weekend at home, the William Blount High School (WBHS) AFJROTC Drill Team was making history on a global stage. Representing the Blount County Schools family as the only team from Tennessee, our local cadets traveled to the AFJROTC Drill National Competition in Dayton, Ohio, to face off against the world’s most elite units.
The competition was stiff, featuring top-tier programs from across the United States and international units traveling from as far as Germany. Despite the pressure, the WBHS cadets proved that the spirit of #BlountCountyStrong translates to excellence anywhere in the world.
A Historic Performance
Competing in the Armed Division, the team participated in four separate team competitions and three individual and dual exhibition events. Out of 21 competing schools, the WBHS Armed Team secured a remarkable 5th Place Overall finish.
For the first time in the program’s history, the unit brought home two prestigious team trophies:
3rd Place (Armed Flight): Commanded by Cadet Colonel Jonathan Chitwood.
4th Place (Color Guard): Commanded by Cadet Major Bailie Semmel.
In a display of razor-sharp precision, Cadet Colonel Chitwood narrowly missed the 3rd Place Commander trophy by a single point—a testament to the high level of discipline maintained by our student-leaders.
Beyond the Trophies
While the hardware in the trophy case is a significant achievement, the leadership at WBHS emphasized that the character of the students was the true highlight of the trip. Colonel Lawson and CMSgt McNair expressed immense pride not just in the scores, but in the "respectful and professional conduct" the cadets maintained throughout the weekend.
Following the competition, the group visited the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, where they continued to serve as outstanding ambassadors for the state of Tennessee and the BCS district.
A District-Wide Celebration
The success of the WBHS AFJROTC reinforces the district’s mission of fostering "Future-Ready" graduates. From the elementary classrooms in Rockford to the high school halls in Maryville, this victory is shared by the entire community.
"Please congratulate these students if you have them in class," urged the program instructors. "They are an amazing group!"
For more updates on CTE programs and student achievements across the district, residents are encouraged to visit the official Blount County Schools website