The JROTC program of PBHS recently held it’s annual Military Ball. The dance, held at the Army National Guard Armory on Feb. 26, was a big success and everyone seemed to have a good time. To go to the dance, you either had to be in the JROTC program, or be invited by someone who was.

C/PVT Jordan Payne, a sophomore, said, “Mil-Ball was a lot of fun. People were dancing and having a good time.”

Fellow sophomore C/2LT Matt Boyers agreed. “Mil-Ball was more fun than prom!” he said.

Junior C/SGM Travis Ware said, “I enjoyed Mil-Ball because it gave everyone in JROTC a chance to meet eachother and just have a good time.”

C/1SG Danielle Humble, sophomore, felt the same way. “I look forward to the Military Ball every year. It’s a great way for all of us JROTC kids to get together and just have fun,” she said.

Non-JROTC members also had a good time at the dance. Molly Landers, sophomore, said, “Dude, the Military Ball was nothing like I expected. It was totally awesome. It was really better than any other dance this year. I had so much fun!”

Surrounded by patriotic decorations, Military Ball attendees had a strict order of events and code to follow. The night was all about manners and tradition as all young men had to pull out chairs for the young women and wait until the ladies were seated to sit themselves. All JROTC members had to wear their uniforms while non-members wore formal attire. The JROTC girls did get to wear their hair down for a change, however.

When first entering the dance, attendees had to go through a “receiving line” and be introduced to important JROTC people. These people included C/MSG Chris Ordway (sophomore), JROTC teacher Major Crites and wife Mrs. Crites, C/CSM Kristin Howdeshell (junior), and C/CPT Brian Dobbs (senior).

After going through the receiving line and everyone was seated, an invocation was presented by C/MAJ Adam Huber, senior. The posting of the colors was then done by color guard members C/CSM Howdeshell - Commander, C/1SG Humble, C/1SG Beverly Wells (sophomore), C/CPL Sarah Ursery (freshman), and C/SGT Felicia Kirkland (sophomore).

Attendees were then told about the history of the Military Ball. The “Tasting of the Food” was led by C/PVT Kayla Solomon, freshmen with dinner following.

After dinner there was a brief intermission. Then the Saber Team made an arch and the Mil-Ball Court was announced. The Saber Team consisted of C/SGM Ware - Commander, Cadet Daniel Miller (freshman), C/PVT Micheal Jones (sophomore), C/2LT Steven Dicken (junior), C/CPT Carlos Garcia (junior), C/SFC Brandon Cook (sophomore), and C/PVT Patrick Bryant (freshmen).

The court was divided up by LETs, or levels. LET stands for “Leader Education Training.” The Duke and Duchess from LET 1 were C/PVT Sean Sullivan, freshman, and C/PVT Marah Kellum, freshman. LET 2’s Lord and Lady were C/SFC Matt Thurner, junior, and C/1SG Wells. The Prince and Princess from LET 3 were C/2LT Vince McDonald, junior, and C/CSM Howdeshell. LET 4’s King and Queen were C/LTC Eric Scott, senior, and C/CPT Jessica Pitman, senior.

After the court was announced the royalty led their first dance. Other tradional dances were also done, like the Chicken Dance, the Hokey-Pokey, and the Macarena. Some Cadets also participated in a spontaneous push up contest.

“Military Ball was so much fun, especially when Sgt. Richardson did the Macarena!” said Lady of the Court Wells.

When all non-members got to go home, there was still work to be done by the JROCTC members. The dance ended at 11:00, but JROTC members were still doing a “Breakdown” at 11:45. A “breakdown” consists of cleaning up the mess, stacking tables, and sweeping.

“Military Ball is the one occasion that, in my opinion, all cadets look forward to. It’s a night of food, fun, and dancing. The Military Ball is different from most ordinary dances. I recommend all students join JROTC to experience this for themself,” said C/CPL Clayton Vass, sophomore.