Cadets from Selma High’s MCJROTC program gathered together at St. Joseph’s Church in Lopez’s Hall to host their annual Marine Corps ball on November 8th, 2025. This event is held to honor and commemorate the establishment of the Continental Marines that occurred on November 10th, 1775. A celebration and experience of the traditions associated with the Marine Corps of the United States.
The Marine Corps ball is traditionally composed of a formal ceremony, a guest speaker, dinner, and dancing. Although seen as an event exclusive to cadets of the program, cadets can invite one person outside the program to be their guest. There’s also a narrator who guides the cadets and their guests through the various traditional elements of the formal ceremony.
Starting at 4:30 PM, this year’s narrator, Cadet 1st Lieutenant Gallardo, announced the start of the ceremony and asked everyone to take their seats. In the opening ceremony, Gallardo explained the spiritual and ceremonial significance of the entire ceremony with the Missing Man Table. This is a solemn, symbolic display of a table with a single empty seat and set with items representing the fallen service members—captured as prisoners of war, missing in action, or died in service. Cadet Corporal Gallegos gave the opening prayer that remembers the fallen Marines and acknowledges the active duty Marines still serving.
For this year’s guest speaker, Gallardo welcomed Edward Gomes who is Selma Unified School District’s Superintendent, serving his third year. Edward Gomes proceeded to give a speech and ended on a note that the cadets earned this year’s Marine Corps Ball.
The Honor Guard, also known as Sword Detail, and Color Guard soon followed. The former being a team of cadets using the ceremonial NCO swords forming two lines facing each other to make a sword archway. This archway is for the guest speaker and other distinguished personnel for the entire duration of the cake-cutting ceremony. The latter presents the Nation’s and Marine Corps’ colors.
As the cake-cutting ceremony begins, a group of cadets escort the birthday cake made by Urista Bakery through the space between the Honor Guard. Cadet Sergeant Ramirez then reads out loud General John A. Lejeune’s message—a 1921 message by the 13th Commandant that honors the history of the Marine Corps that’s still read annually on the Corps’ birthday. Cadet Captain Hayes, the current highest ranked cadet, then made a slice of cake and gave the slice to Edward Gomes as an honor. Another slice of cake was made but the oldest cadet in the program gave the slice to the youngest cadet. This year it was Cadet Staff Sergeant Orozco and Cadet Private Pulido respectively. The narrator, Gallardo, explained that this symbolizes the passing down of knowledge and experience from one generation to the next.
One of two instructors of the program, First Sergeant Romero, then gave a speech about his retirement and made a sudden announcement of the meritorious promotion of four female cadets present. All four cadets were promoted from the rank of cadet private (C/Pvt) to cadet private first class (C/PFC). The cadets were: C/Pvt Colin, C/Pvt Jose, C/Pvt Castillanos, and C/Pvt Lopez
“As many of you know, this is my final year,” began First Sergeant Romeo.
He talked about how in recent years females have begun dominating leadership positions, both in and outside the program. He concluded with, “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a female president in 15 years.”
As the promotion ceremony ended, dinner was served. Cadets and guests enjoyed options including: BBQ chicken, steak, rice pilaf, green brands, salad, rolls, and water. Once dinner was over, the Marine Corps ball dance began.
Starting around 6 PM, cadets enjoyed dancing to music played by this year’s music DJ, Rene Emilio. Music ranging from Hispanic music to slow dancing music was played, with requests being made by cadets and their guests. Dessert was also being served at this time. This year’s MCJROTC Marine Corps Ball ended at 9:30 PM and cadets picked up after themselves until Cadet 1st Sergeant Delgado dismissed the cadets at 10 PM.
