Hopi cadets strut their stuff in Phoenix

Members of the Hopi High Color Guard march proudly in the Native American Connections parade.

Members of the Hopi High Color Guard march proudly in the Native American Connections parade.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Hopi JROTC Battalion once again took the spotlight in the Native American Connections Parade held Oct. 11. After the Homecoming Parade at Hopi High School, 40 cadets promptly changed into civilian clothing and boarded the bus to head out to Phoenix. The morning of the parade was chilly, but once the cadets started to march, the day started to warm up. This raised the spirits of the cadets so they could be ready for the half-mile march down Indian School Road.

The Bruin Battalion was led by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Carl and Cadet Command Sergeant Major Humewysie Sockyma. Leading the Battalion was the Color Guard Team led by Color Guard Captain Cadet Major Marlana Talayumptewa. The national flag was carried by Cadet 1st Lieutenant Clayden Torivio, followed by Cadet Wendy Koniva with the state flag. The Hopi flag was carried by Cadet Private Candice Tso, the Navajo flag by Cadet Private Janine Shula, the Army flag was carried by Cadet private Josette Delowe, and after the Flags of the Nation followed the two Rifle Barriers, Cadet Captain RaeLyn Harvey and Cadet Captain Tasha LaBahe.

While the Color Guard marched ahead of the Hopi Bruin Battalion, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Carl counted cadence for the cadets. As the cadets marched in they also shouted out cadence for the spectators along the sidewalk. The cadences they marched to were, "Hey Hopi," "1-7," "Batman" and "Lollipop."

By the end of the parade half of the cadets had lost their voices, but they still had enough energy to watch the parade until it ended. As the parade went on many of the cadets were amazed at how many Native Americans had participated in the parade, and how many other tribes were in Arizona. While they were watching the parade, a local high school singing group was generous enough to sing a song to the Hopi Bruin Battalion. After the parade the cadets boarded the bus and headed out to lunch.

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