LAHS NJROTC cadets show off the trophies they were awarded during the Quest for Gold Regional Drill Meet. Photo Courtesy NJROTC

BY C/LTJG MELANIE WEEKLEY
Public Affairs Officer
LAHS NJROTC

Over the weekend of February 7-8, Los Alamos NJROTC traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to compete in the highly competitive Quest For Gold regional drill meet. Months of dedication and training led up to this moment and the teams were eager to showcase their skills against some of the best units in New Mexico, Texas, California, and Arizona.

The competition was intense, but despite the pressure, Topper Company remained focused and performed exceptionally well in every event. Reflecting on the experience, C/PO1 Lillia Keller Moore, armed basic drill team commander, said, “It was such a great bonding experience and I’m so glad I got this opportunity to connect with my fellow cadets! I can’t wait for the next one!”

Their hard work paid off as they secured team awards, such as 2nd place in armed basic drill, 3rd place color guard, 2nd place physical phitness, 2nd place personnel inspection, 2nd place
male push ups, and 3rd place in the 16×100 relay. Despite competing at this level for the first
time, Topper Company placed an impressive 3rd place overall. Individual awards consisted of
Michelle Lo, 1st place in female punch ups, and Jaden Kim, 1st place in male curl ups.

For the cadets of Topper Company, the competition was not just about winning — it was about
camaraderie, personal growth, and representing our community with pride. The cadets left
Tucson feeling inspired and motivated, already looking forward to their next challenge as they
continue to sharpen their skills and strengthen their teams.