Military Ball Celebrated Cadets

By Alex Heer '20
April 2, 2020

On February 22, Cretin- Derham Hall hosted the Military Ball for students in Junior ROTC. There was a very good turnout, with 150 students attending the annual event. This event is optional, but with just around 300 total members in the corps, having around half come to one of these events is a great turnout. The students arrived, dressed in their Class A uniforms, which is wearing their formal coat along with their uniform, and the men wear white dress shirts. The women wear dresses, or they can choose to wear their JROTC jacket. This is a special dance for only JROTC cadets at CDH. It is very popular for ninth graders since it is one of a couple of dances they can go to during the school year. It is also very popular for seniors, since it is our last time we can go to a huge event as a part of the corps. Many seem to take advantage of this opportunity, and many say they have an amazing time. I asked Simon Baumberger '20 what he liked about the Military Ball and he said, “Military Ball is a great night to bring out the lightheartedness of the instructors as well as the students. It’s a refreshing night to get a taste of JROTC.”

The night starts with pictures, then there is an introduction of the Seniors. All the Seniors go through a ‘Saber Arch,’ which we have done every year that I have been at CDH. Next, you you go through the reviewing line where you get to meet the Cadet Colonel, Brigade Executive Officer, and the Deputy. After this, you then have dinner & dessert. For the cake ceremony our Cadet Colonel, Will Burke '20, calls out the youngest cadet in the Junior class. The Cadet Colonel then feeds the food to the youngest cadet. After this, the dance started and everyone danced away for the next few hours. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. We hope everyone who came this year will join us next year! Thank you to the CDH JROTC program for another amazing Military Ball.