The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) earned a first-place trophy at the Portage military drill meet on Saturday, December 7th in the Color Guard category. The Wolves defeated larger schools, including perennial powerhouse schools Ben Davis and Warren Central from Indianapolis. Three of the four cadets in the Color Guard plan to enter the military. Cadet Major Marcus has enlisted in the Marine Corps for Reconnaissance, which is the Marine equivalent of Navy SEALS or Army Special Forces. Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Matthew Wilson plans to enlist in the Navy for its nuclear submarine program. Cadet Sergeant Jordon Staples plans on enlisting in the Army for infantry. He replaced Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Kohn, who was wrestling for the MCHS team, which had a tournament on the same day. Kohn, a junior, plans on attending the U.S. Naval Academy. An education there is valued at $350,000. Upon graduation, he wants to become a Navy SEAL.

“Despite having to replace some of our usual starters for a variety of reasons, our younger cadets stepped up and made us competitive in the other categories,” said Marine Instructor Master Sergeant Jeff Benak.

Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath noted the dedication of the cadets who, on that same day, also volunteered at the Salvation Army and then led the Michigan City Festival of Lights Parade that night. “Our cadets demonstrated that ‘can-do,’ ‘do-what-needs-to-done’   attitude that typifies MCHS cadets.”

The cadets will continue to support MCHS and the community up to the holiday break. This includes providing Color Guards for all home basketball games, helping with the One City One Sound concert, and supporting the Salvation Army with Christmas donations.