BY C/LTJG ALANA HINOJOSA
Public Affairs Officer
LAHS NJROTC
This past weekend Los Alamos NJROTC traveled to Cibola High School to participate in the New Mexico State Military Skills Competition. Even though this was Topper Company’s fifth competition of the year, it was extra special since it was for the state championship and final competition for the 2023-24 season.
C/MCPO Seth Javernick, Command Master Chief and marksmanship team commander, said, “I’m super proud to have competed alongside and observed the success of our competition teams at State this year. The environment created in the unit promoting success led us to achieving this monumental goal, and I am confident in the abilities of Topper Company going into the retirement of myself and other seniors.”
Topper Company competed in unarmed regulation drill, unarmed exhibition drill, armed regulation drill, armed exhibition drill, female and male color guard, and female and male physical fitness, along with precision and sporter marksmanship.
“I am so incredibly proud to have been able to command an amazing team,” female color guard commander C/PO3 Evelyn Drake stated. “It was a remarkable experience to command at my first state drill meet and also win best female color guard commander.”
In addition to numerous individual and team awards, Topper Company was named as state champions in drill, color guard, and physical fitness, along with overall JROTC state champions.
Individual awards include:
Kaelin Hanson:
3rd place female 4×400 relay;
1st place female spring drag carry;
2nd place top female athlete
Seth Javernick:
3rd place male 4×400 relay;
3rd place male spring drag carry;
1st place top male athlete;
5th place precision marksmanship aggregate;
2nd place precision marksmanship standing;
3rd place precision marksmanship prone
Braeden Hanson:
3rd place female spring drag carry
Natalie Crawford:
3rd place standing power throw;
3rd place top female athlete
William Berninger:
2nd place precision marksmanship aggregate;
1st place precision marksmanship prone;
1st place precision marksmanship kneeling
Aspen Jaramillo:
1st place precision marksmanship aggregate;
1st place precision marksmanship standing;
2nd place precision marksmanship prone;
3rd place precision marksmanship kneeling
Lilia Keller-Moore:
top drill commander
Evelyn Drake:
top female color guard commander
Jaden Kim:
top male color guard commander
Team awards include:
1st place female physical fitness
2nd place male physical fitness
1st place unit personnel inspection
1st place female color guard
2nd place male color guard
2nd place armed regulation drill
1st place armed exhibition drill
1st place unarmed regulation drill
1st place unarmed exhibition drill
2nd place precision marksmanship
Drill state champions
Color guard state champions
Physical fitness state champions
Overall JROTC state champions
Editor’s note: Congratulations Topper Company. Thank you for making our community so proud.