West Caldwell High School NJROTC named The American Legion’s winners for its JROTC Color Guard Contest during national convention in Louisville.
For the past four years, high school JROTC units have been invited to compete in their own open category of the National Color Guard Contest that’s held during The American Legion’s national convention. Three-time champion West Caldwell High School NJROTC of Lenoir, N.C., participated in the contest alongside 13 other JROTC units on Friday, Aug. 28, during the 107th American Legion National Convention in Louisville, Ky. And once again, West Caldwell High School NJROTC proudly took home a fourth consecutive win for the Legion’s JROTC Color Guard Contest.
“It makes me feel proud. Proud of them because we practice literally all summer, three to four days a week, and they want to come in and practice to get ready. They are willing to put the effort into it,” said West Caldwell NJROTC coach and Lenoir Post 29 member Wayne Mihelich, a retired Navy command sergeant major. “They’ve realized that, and I told them, you can do anything in the world you want as long as you’re willing to put everything into it.”
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PHOTO GALLERY: JROTC color guard contestants perform at the 2026 American Legion Color Guard Contest during the 107th National Convention at Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky. Photos by Jennifer Blohm/The American Legion
Post 29 member and assistant coach Dorian Phasoulas echoed Mihelich that when the kids could be sleeping in all summer or choosing other activities, they showed dedication and commitment to JROTC practice.
“They show up, they hold each other accountable, and they continue to force their way in to championships,” said Phasoulas, whose daughter Elizabeth is a member of the West Caldwell High School NJROTC unit.
And that practice paid off not only with the JROTC color guard contest but the National Color Guard Contest Friday morning where West Caldwell High School NJROTC students, who represented Sons of The American Legion Squadron 29 color guard, won for the third consecutive year in Open Class.
“I’m proud because they’ve learned they can do anything they want and they can achieve,” Mihelich said, adding that each year the students worry they won’t make it to the national convention because there’s usually one or two new JROTC students. “Well, the proof’s in the pudding.
“I spent 31 years in the Navy, and I would say my time in JROTC has been more fulfilling for me by working with the future and showing them that they can do things like this. They can do whatever they want as long as they’re willing to put the effort in.”
American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley presented the winning trophy to the West Caldwell High School NJROTC unit along with awards for the remaining 13 who competed, which included five JROTC units from Kentucy and six from Florida.
“I just want to congratulate the 14 color guards that are here. You have represented your school well,” Wiley said. “I am confident that our future is in great hands with the youth I see today, the individuals I see before me.”
Following are the overall scores for the 14 high school JROTC units:
106.25 – West Caldwell High School NJROTC, Lenoir, N.C.
106 – Fern Creek High School, Louisville, Ky.
105.25 – Mariner High School, Cape Coral, Fla.
102.25 – Bull Dog Guard, Louisville, Ky.
101.75 – Falcon Navy #1, Dunedin, Fla.
100 – Bulldog Battalion, Smithdale, Miss.
99.5 – Falcon Navy #2, Dunedin, Fla.
98.25 – Coral Glades High School, Coral Springs, Fla.
98.0 – Wildcat Battalion, Davie, Fla.
94.05 – Hudson High School Cobras, Hudson, Fla.
93.75 – Lamar County, Purvis, Miss.
91.0 – Warren Central JROTC, Bowling Green, Ky.
87.0 – Cougar Battalion, Shepherdsville, Ky.
60.25 – ECHS JROTC, Irvine, Ky.
- Convention