Marching with the Tiger Battalion

After completing a test Monday morning, 17 students of Douglas High School's new Army Junior Reserved Officer Training Corps, the Tiger Battalion, were ushered outside in the cool morning to practice marching drills near the soccer field.

"We want to teach what leadership is, how to be a better citizen and have the students hold these standards the rest of their lives," said Master Sgt. Dana Sparkes, one of two instructors teaching the new program.

In the northwest corner of Douglas High, the corps' three new portables are near completion, waiting to be wired.

"One building has new classrooms, one is going to be the office for instructors and leadership students, and the last building is going to be an indoor air-rifle shooting range," said Sparkes.

Sparkes said 126 students participate in the elective program. He said he expects that number to reach more than 150 by next semester in the new buildings.

"The students are wonderful," said Master Sgt. Gary Collier as he facilitated a cat-and-mouse marching drill.

Students broke off in groups of four. The first group were mice, conducting forward and flanking marches trying to keep their distance from the group of cats behind them, who conducted marches trying to catch up and cut off the mice. If the mice evaded the cats for three minutes, the cats lost.

During the first drill, the cats caught the mice, and the mice had to do pushups on the field. During the second drill, the mice were able to keep their distance for three minutes, and the cats ended up doing pushups.

"All the running and pushups are getting me ready," said Douglas senior Matt Lebo, who plans on becoming a Navy Seal after graduating.

Senior Rene Villanueva said the program has helped him academically.

"Last year I didn't do too well, but this year I've held a 3.0 grade point average," he said. "More discipline has helped me."

Both students said they are looking forward to marksmanship, and upcoming team sports where they'll earn different ranks.

"We're learning different leadership styles, traits, history, but most of all honor," said Villanueva, who like many of his peers plans on joining the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation.

On Oct. 12, the program's student honor guard raised the flags for the first time on the football field before the varsity game.

"Army strong and Tiger proud is their motto," said Sparkes of his students.