For the first time in its history, Discovery High School’s U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) female drill team earned first place at the JROTC State Championship drill competition. The Titan Battalion, as the Discovery High team is known, had never won a state championship in its seven-year history, having placed second each of the last three years.

     The team is excited and proud. “We feel delighted to accomplish this dream,” says Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Khin Iang. “We used our failures from previous years to achieve this goal, especially for our seniors. It makes us feel like we brought something special back to our school that recognizes us for our hard work. We put sweat and tears into this process, leaving a lifetime impression on us all. We will always be the first State Champion in the Titan Battalion. We are a family now.”

     Under the guidance and leadership of Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army Sr. Army Instructor Rob Rooker, the Titan Battalion has consistently excelled in eight categories, including small and large unit precision marching, exhibition (rifle spinning), and color guard at both the regional and state levels. In Georgia, the regional championship involves the participation of 12 regions, with the top three from each category advancing to the state competition. This year, among 85 represented schools, Discovery High School’s JROTC team, which has 204 cadets, excelled. It qualified in seven out of the eight categories, with the boys’ team clinching the regional championship.