John F. Kennedy’s reign over Denver Public Schools’ JROTC program is not new knowledge. For decades, JFK has held the legacy as one of the best teams in the entire nation. They compete in nationals each year, traveling around the country representing DPS. Seniors Mia and Brooke have not only put JFK on the map, but the entire state of Colorado as well.
“There aren’t a lot of Drill teams that compete nationally for Colorado,” Mia notes as she describes the competition of Drill on the national stage. JFK’s JROTC unit is an Honor Unit with Distinction, limited to the top 10% of schools in the nation. The program is currently the largest in the state, and three of its Drill teams are ranked regionally and nationally.
At JFK, excellence isn’t measured just by trophies, but by the resilience students bring with them every day. Mia entered JFK grieving the loss of her cousin, Ramon Hernandez, to gun violence when he was only 15 years old. He was the seventh child in his family and more like a brother to Mia as they were the same age.
“We were supposed to go to JFK together,” remarks Mia.
Another cousin of Mia’s suffered a life-threatening injury. Due to the knowledge he acquired in JROTC, he was able to apply a tourniquet that ended up saving not only his arm, but his life. Providing an opportunity for students to gain essential life skills requires a dedication that rivals any varsity sport.
“Some people commit to other sports, but for us, Drill is life,” Mia states.
However, Drill is often overlooked as a sport.
“Some people don’t necessarily consider it a sport, but we get a Varsity letter,” Mia said. They have to be at school before classes for practice, have another practice during lunch and also meet after school.
Mia and Brooke attribute Drill to much of the dedication and determination they have developed over their time on the team. Their mentors, Colonel Jeffery Wilson, Scot Kinder and Kelly Brick instill these character traits in their training. The Honor Platoon is an all-female, unarmed drill team driven by academics and community service. Thomas Jefferson High School created an all-girls team inspired by JFK, providing opportunities for female students to engage in a different type of sport.
“You have to earn your spot. You have to work for everything,” Brooke said. Brooke’s first time leaving the state of Colorado was through Drill. Now, she hopes to attend an out-of-state university and study public policy.
Mia and Brooke prepare to graduate as some of the most decorated leaders in DPS history. "It goes beyond just Drill," Brooke reflects. They strive to leave behind a standard of prestige that must be preserved.