<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/2025-scc-union-pines-jrotc-drill-meet.html" dsn="news"><title>Union Pines’ First-Ever JROTC Drill Meet Held at Sandhills Community College</title><item_date>10/25/2025 01:32:52 PM</item_date><listing_image><img src="/news/_images/20251025-jrotc-drill-competition-148.JPG" alt="Back of a cadet’s shirt displaying the Pinecrest High School Air Force JROTC logo during the Viking Drill Meet at Sandhills Community College."/></listing_image><summary>More than 200 JROTC cadets from six schools across North Carolina and Virginia competed in the inaugural Union Pines High School Viking Drill Meet hosted at Sandhills Community College. The event tested color guard, drill, and physical fitness events while showcasing teamwork, discipline, and pride among future leaders.</summary><categories>Academics,Athletics,Sandhills News,Student Spotlight</categories><featured>true</featured><lead_image><img src="/news/_images/2025-10-25-jrotc-drill-competition-040.jpg" alt="Marine JROTC cadet in full dress uniform stands at attention holding the American and Marine Corps flags during the Viking Drill Meet at Sandhills Community College."/></lead_image><lead_caption>Over 200 cadets representing Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps JROTC units competed in Union Pines High School’s inaugural Viking Drill Meet, held at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst.</lead_caption><tags><tag>Community Events</tag><tag>Drill</tag><tag>High School Outreach</tag><tag>JROTC</tag><tag>Leadership</tag><tag>Pinecrest</tag><tag>Student Life</tag><tag>Veterans Services</tag><tag>Viking</tag></tags></item>