GMC News

(Milledgeville, GA) March 19, 2004 – On March 13, 2004, members of the GMC High School Color Guard and Drill Team competed in the Regional (Area 4) Drill Meet, at Evans High School, in Appling, Georgia. High schools competing in the meet included, Harlem, Cedar Shoals, Lakeside, Lucy Laney, Elbert County, Hephzibah, ARC, and Evans, as well as GMC.
SFC Van Rutledge, GMC Color Guard and Drill Team Advisor said that although the Color Guard, commanded by Cadet SGT Jeremy Johnson, performed very well, the highlight of the day was Cadet Gavin Ray’s performance, and the forthcoming announcement that he was the winner of the Individual Exhibition Competition. He stated, “Cadet Ray’s performance placed the bar so high that other competitors stood in amazement. Two cadets decided not to compete after seeing Cadet Ray’s superb performance; instead, they waited for him to finish and came to ask him to teach them his moves. Cadet Ray managed to captivate the audience’s attention as he exhibited expert weapon handling techniques and some moves that have never seen before, because he made them up himself. Ray’s parents, Danny and Virginia, were very proud of his performance. His dad said that he made him a wooden rifle to practice with in middle school; he is a senior this year.” When Cadet Ray was asked how it felt to win, he replied, “This is what I wanted, and it paid off. Now others can follow my example.” He will compete in Georgia’s State Competition on March 20th at Henderson Stadium in Macon, Georgia. Good luck Gavin!

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