Spotless and crisp military uniforms, beautiful dresses, a catered dinner, and one fun night can all be summed up into one name: Military Ball.  Every year, Central Catholic’s JROTC program hosts a Military Ball for their cadets and guests, and this year’s 90th Military Ball proved to be a beautiful and memorable one.

“During a Military Ball attendees honor Prisoners of War and Soldiers Missing in Action, give toasts to military leaders, and uphold traditional military customs.  Once the receiving line has been introduced, the opening remarks given, and the tributes paid, people have their choice at several gourmet meals and begin dinner.  This is followed by a guest speaker who usually shares their advice on how to smoothly transition into the leadership roles cadets are about to assume.  Once the speeches have been made and all of the meals are concluded, cadets and their guests can take formal pictures with each other and are invited to show off their moves on the dance floor.”  -https://www.cwu.edu/airforce/tradition-lives-through-joint-military-ball

The JROTC military ball is an annual formal function that is planned and attended by the CCHS cadets enrolled in JROTC. Military personnel dress in formal uniforms, and male cadets and guests dress in tuxedo or a suit. Female cadets may wear a formal dress.

There are different sections to a military ball including a reception hour, receiving line, dinner and dance portion. The reception hour is when guests are encouraged to mingle. The dinner has multiple courses, during which there are toasts and traditions are observed that are specific to each military branch.

This year’s cadets responsible for organizing the function were Cadet CPT Ashli Driskill, Cadet CPT Luke Guajardo, and Cadet 1LT Robert Everts. Also heavily involved in the organization and planning was committed and seemingly tireless parent, Mrs. Elaine Garcia, the Military Ball Booster Committee Chair.

After making their way through the traditional receiving line where attendees meet and greet with honorary guests, the color guard posts the colors, Father Sean delivers a prayer, CPT Rhodes greets the crowd, and shortly thereafter, four cadets, Cadet CPT Ashli Driskill, Cadet CPT Luke Guajardo, Cadet EmmaClaire Staver, and Cadet Emery Megerle were honored to be “coined” by special guest Mr. Joe Bray, Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army in the South. This was followed by a special message that was shared by Central Graduate Rick Galindo III, class of 2000, who was also a member of the JROTC program during his time at Central. After Mr. Galindo’s message, attendees recognized the Table of the Fallen Soldier, a solemn tribute to our fallen or missing soldiers, received the honorary toasts by cadets, and then dinner was served.

After dinner, senior cadets were recognized, followed by the rest of the evening spent dancing, fellowshipping, and reminiscing about this wild and crazy year, as well as what the future holds for so many graduating cadets.

This year’s 90th Military Ball is officially in the books, but rest assured that next year will bring a new group of cadets who will apply themselves to the planning and organization of this time honored event that will once again shows the true colors of the Central Catholic JROTC program.