ANAHEIM, CALIF. (September 11, 2009) St. Catherine’s Military Academy Color Guard presented the flags at Servite High School’s home opener football game versus Clovis West High School of Fresno. Four of SCMA’s highest ranked cadets presented the flags of our nation and state to the large crowd at Cerritos College on September 11, 2009.
The Color Guard consisted of cadets Aiden Drew, Chase Ott, David Ike, and Derek Harris-Beres, all seventh and eighth graders at SCMA. The SCMA Color Guard will also perform at Servite’s four remaining home games. The SCMA Color Guard is a time-honored tradition, which involves an elite team of SCMA students. Cadets on the team spend countless hours practicing drill movements to present the proud colors of the Academy, State and Country.
The SCMA Color Guard is responsible for daily colors support at the school as well as ceremonies, parades, and other special events. The SCMA Color Guard marches in several area parades each year. The Color Guard consists of four to five members. Cadets in the Color Guard wear SCMA’s unique military dress uniform and chrome helmets. This year, the Color Guard wears traditional white belts and boot leggings to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the academy.
The Color Guard of SCMA is part of the academy’s military program, which teaches cadets self-discipline, respect, and leadership. In addition to Color Guard, cadets in grades three and above participate in daily marching and drill exercises. They also earn medals and ribbons for good behavior and move through ranks that simulate military roles. Participation in the military program teaches cadets important live skills, such as overcoming obstacles and challenges, planning, following directions, working on a team, and leading others. The military department is led by Colonel Barry Bizzell, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), and Captain Angel Ramos, U.S. Army.
St. Catherine’s Military Academy, founded in 1889 by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, is a Catholic preparatory elementary school for boys in grades Kindergarten to 8th grade. St. Catherine’s challenging and enriching program, which includes small class sizes, spiritual development, military emphasis on leadership and courtesy, athletics, music and advanced technology, prepares students for positive and successful years in high school, college, and adulthood. The school offers both day and boarding opportunities.