JROTC Drill Team, Taikas

The Black and Gold 1975

Perfection in March Sequences Brings Honor to Drill Team, Taikas

 Drilling daily in the brisk dawn air across the McKinley front lawn, the JROTC DRILL TEAM attracted considerable scrutiny from various groups of students situated around campus. Many had mixed reactions, stemming from an early morning diversion to captivating their attentions as they stood up to point and watch, drawing glances in their directions.

 Never failing to exhibit their pride of zest and enthusiasm, the Drill Team wholeheartedly shouted and intoned while performing various feats of rifle control during their running exercises.

 During the course of the year they have put in unaccountable amounts of time and unleashed effort to devote themselves to JROTC-School related activities. A performance for the entire sponsoring unit at Schofield Barracks which was locally televised was just one of their pre-Christmas cheer activities. Being a group with much time to afford to make other people happy, they also spent some days toiling for the very cause of Easter Seals.

 A much looked forward to event of the year was an invitation from the Molokai County Jaycees to participate in the upcoming Bicentennial Celebration which came as a pleasant surprise and gave the team a sense of pride in their work and the satisfaction of near perfection in meticulous drilling routines.

 Strains from the sound of Shaft and Hawaii Five-O filtered through the giant green doors of the gymnasium as the McKinley TAIKAS drilled, synchronous with the music in their eye-catching black and gold uniforms. Precision, accuracy and timing were in accord as their hands rose and slapped to their sides, like a chain reaction of perfectly timed movements.

 Captained by senior Tammy Delima and advised by faculty member Mrs. Margaret Anderson, they took part in numerous worthwhile community service projects from aiding Easter Seals in the telethon show as temporary receptionists to performing drill routines for various charity fundraising functions.

 Acceptance of a yearly invitation extended by the University of Hawaii Athletic Department to perform as half-time entertainment during Rainbow Basketball games added a touch of excitement and pride to the hearts of the girls. They nervously awaited the final call of the loudspeaker and gave a fine performance which appeared on TV as well.

 ROTC parades and a St. Patrick's Day march added to the hectic year. Formal initiations of new members closed the year.

McKinley High School Class of 1977

40th Reunion Summer 2017