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The seven MCPSS middle schools that began offering a Leadership Officer Training Course (LOTC) this year competed in their first drill competition at Fort Whiting last week.
In the squad drill competition, Hankins placed first, Semmes was second and Calloway-Smith was third. In the color guard competition, Calloway-Smith took first, Semmes was second and B.T. Washington placed third.
"I think the kids are getting a lot of motivation and confidence because this was the first one," said SFC (Ret.) Tiffany Brown, LOTC instructor at Semmes Middle. "It's helping them to build not only character but also leadership skills and being able to have a lot of confidence in themselves and others, also."
MCPSS is the first school system in the state of Alabama to offer LOTC, which focuses on character development and introduces middle school students to drill and ceremonies, along with VEX IQ robotics, drone technology, and physical fitness.
Participating middle schools are: Calloway-Smith, Hankins, Lott, Pillans, Semmes, Booker T. Washington and Williamson Middle Grades Preparatory Academy.
Mobile County Public Schools thanks the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, which sponsored and judged the drill competition.