Junior ROTC team from Jacksonville makes history at the inaugural parade

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —

A group of Jacksonville high students made history during the inauguration parade.

In all, 20 girls from the Junior ROTC drill team at Andrew Jackson High School got a chance to represent not only just Jacksonville but also the entire state of Florida.

It’s a moment the young women will never forget.

Cadet Hanna Blackstock said, “As soon as we come up, I was, like, mom, that’s us. And she was, like, that’s you! It was, like, wow, just a wave of woah.”

Empowering was the word Blackstock used to describe it.

And that’s exactly why Maj. Trent Johnson and his wife Roseland Johnson wanted them to be selected.

“I’m hoping by them making history, being a part of history, even if it might be just a small footnote in history, that’s some little girl out there is seeing that and saying, ‘Wow, I can do that too,’” said Trent Johnson.

But getting ready for the performance wasn’t easy and took a lot of hard work.

“We were practicing for about a month in preparation for the inauguration.”

Proving that dedication pays off and makes moments like the ones they experienced even sweeter.

Roseland Johnson, the ladies “den mother,” said, “I feel so proud for my babies. Those are my girls, and I’m just so proud for them.”

And reminds us all to dream big.

Trent Johnson said, “You can do anything. You don’t have to wait to be told it’s OK. If you want something, go after it.”

Cox Media Group