Deming High JROTC cadets celebrate military ball

Bill Armendariz, Deming Headlight
·4 min read
Lt. Col. Todd Moultrie, Cadet Battalion Commander Mayra Calderon, Cadet Executive Officer Georgia Turnbow and Cadet Command Sergeant Major Corina Chavira perform a toast to the Deming High School Wildcat Battalion.
Lt. Col. Todd Moultrie, Cadet Battalion Commander Mayra Calderon, Cadet Executive Officer Georgia Turnbow and Cadet Command Sergeant Major Corina Chavira perform a toast to the Deming High School Wildcat Battalion.

DEMING – Lt. Col. Todd Moultrie and Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Ray did their homework before taking command of the Deming High School JROTC program five years ago. Ray said the two studied the demographics in Luna County, the community, and the school district and knew the obstacles they would have to overcome in building the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for students.

On Friday, the JROTC Wildcat Battalion celebrated its military ball with a Casino Royale theme at DHS. What began as a program that had tapered off to just under 40 cadets has now grown to over 60 cadets.

“The challenges are there but these young people have adapted and overcome,” said Lt. Col. Moultrie, chief instructor for the DHS JROTC. We celebrate their achievements with this military ball and practice the protocols they have learned in the program.”

SFC Ray noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and a break in leadership halted the annual tradition of the cadet’s military ball. “Cadets at Deming High had not hosted a military ball since 2018,” Ray said. This class does not know what a military ball is like. We are fortunate to be able to have one and this class can celebrate their achievements.”

The military ball provided a social hour for a meet and greet that included cheese trays, cookies, crackers and a meat and vegetable tray, along with beverages.

Guests were instructed to form a receiving line and once they were greeted by cadets and top brass, the guest were seated for dinner in the school’s dining area.

Freshman cadet PFC Manuel Flores visits with Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Ray during Friday's return of the Deming High JROTC Wildcat Battalion's Military Ball.
Freshman cadet PFC Manuel Flores visits with Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Ray during Friday's return of the Deming High JROTC Wildcat Battalion's Military Ball.

Cadets presented the colors, and the national anthem was played. The invocation followed and the cadet’s creed was performed along with toasts and opening remarks by SFC Ray.

“This was stressful in the planning stages, but I think it turned out well,” said Cadet Battalion Commander Mayra Calderon. The senior commander assumed the leadership role this year and coordinated the military ball with Cadet Commands Segreant Major Corina Chavira and Cadet Executive Officer Georgia Turnbow.

Chavira, a junior in the program, said the ball is a ceremony that reminds the cadets of what they were able to achieve through the school year. “This gives us an opportunity to celebrate and recognize those cadets who rose above and beyond.”

Chavira plans to continue ROTC in college.

Awards were handed out to the top cadets during the ball and guest speaker Eric Benn was introduced. Ben is a native of Selma, AL who graduated form Selma High School in 1986 and received his college degrees from Troy University (formerly Troy State).

He began working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1990 and his career took him to Washington DC, Louisiana, and New Jersey before moving to El Paso in 1995.

In 1997, Benn caught on with the Department of Justice/Office of the Inspector General as a special agent. He retired in 2019.

He accepted a position with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as an assistant superintendent at the Schaeffer House, a 25-bed juvenile halfway house in El Paso.

Last year, Benn accepted a position as Sergeant (investigator) with the Texas Department of Insurance and is currently assigned to the FBI El Paso Division’s Health Care Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force.

“This has been an amazing year for the cadets,” said Turnbow regarding the military ball. “We chose the Las Vegas theme (Casino Royale) because we thought it was festive and the decorations looked nice.

“JROTC has been a big part of my high school life,” Turnbow added. “It has given me direction and a path to follow.”

Manuel Flores, a freshman in the program, said JROTC gave him an opportunity to try something different. “I enjoy the physical training, the discipline and the benefits from being accountable and responsible for your actions,” Flores said.

The added self-esteem and confidence have taught Flores to not be nervous among adults, speak in a commanding tone and properly shake hands when introducing yourself.

“I want to take my confidence out in the world and not be afraid to ask for help or to reach out and help others,” Flores said. He is a PFC.

Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (leave a message) or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.

Cadets perform the ceremonial cake cutting during Friday's Deming High Wildcat Battalion's Military Ball.
Cadets perform the ceremonial cake cutting during Friday's Deming High Wildcat Battalion's Military Ball.

This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: Deming High JROTC cadets celebrate military ball