Hard work and a drive for excellence earned the Bedichek Junior Marines (right) three titles at the National Middle School Drill Championships in Dallas.

Students received awards in: Armed Drill Team Exhibition, Unarmed Color Guard Performance and Unarmed Color Guard Overall. This was the first time the Bedichek Junior Marines have competed in this National Competition.

In preparation for the competition, students practiced two hours daily, Monday through Thursday, and four hours Saturday. In order to participate, students were required to maintain passing grades in all course work.  

Darrick A. Norton, former Marine Staff Sergeant and Bedichek teacher, leads the program. Created in the spring of 2006, the Bedichek Junior Marines Leadership program was designed to instill values such as integrity, dependability, loyalty, unselfishness and tact. The three-year program offers training in leadership and physical endurance, drill and ceremonies, teamwork and daily, personal discipline.

Congratulations to our Junior Marines and their coach, Darrick Norton. To learn more about the program, visit www.juniormarines.org. 

Click here to watch video of the Armed Drill Team Exhibition.
Click here to watch video of the Unarmed Color Guard Performance.