The Simon Sanchez High School (SSHS) Shark Battalion has made a triumphant return to the national stage, securing a massive haul of trophies at the Rocky Mountain Western Classic Drill Competition in Denver, Colorado. This marks the battalion’s first appearance at the prestigious event in over a decade.
Competing on April 25 against a field of 47 elite teams from across the United States—including powerhouses from Alaska, Missouri, and Mississippi—the Sharks dominated multiple categories. The Guam-based cadets earned first-place finishes in Unarmed Regulation, Unarmed Exhibition, Armed Inspection, Armed Regulation, Saber Color Guard, and Armed Color Guard.
The battalion’s precision and leadership were further recognized with third-place honors for both their Unarmed and Armed Outstanding Commanders. The cumulative performance of the cadets earned the program several of the competition’s most coveted overall honors, including:
The Pikes Peak Trophy (2nd Place Overall Unarmed)
The Red Rocks Trophy (2nd Place Overall Armed)
The Norwich Cup (2nd Place Best Overall, All Branches)
“The performance of our Shark Battalion is a testament to the discipline, commitment, and hard work of our cadets and instructors,” said SSHS Principal Carla Masnayon. “They represented Simon Sanchez High School and the island of Guam with pride, and we celebrate their success on this national stage.”
The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) issued a statement of commendation on Tuesday, April 28, praising the battalion for their resilience and for showcasing the island’s excellence on a national platform.
