On Oct. 5, when the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins take the field at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, the eyes of more than 70,000 fans and a national television audience will be fixed on the opening ceremony. Leading that moment will be six cadets from Union High School’s Junior ROTC program, tasked with presenting the nation’s colors on one of the NFL’s biggest stages.
For Union, a small but tight-knit school in the Rose Hill and Delway community of Sampson County, the honor represents far more than a brief appearance on national television. It is a recognition of four decades of JROTC leadership, training, and tradition, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students who will march at midfield.
“This is a huge opportunity for our program, our school, and especially for these cadets,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Ret.) William Fann, who helps lead Union’s JROTC alongside Sergeant Major (Ret.) Douglas Koser. “The program has been here for 40 years, and this really shows what Union High School and our kids are capable of. No better group of cadets could represent Sampson County better than Union’s cadets.”
The 85th JROTC Battalion was established in 1985 and has served as an integral part of Union High School ever since. Over the years, the battalion has built a storied history of excellence, not only in drill and academics but also in fostering leadership and service among its cadets.
Today, Union’s program has more than 200 cadets enrolled, a remarkable figure considering the school’s total enrollment of just over 500 students. Nearly half of Union’s student body participates in JROTC, a number that reflects the program’s broad impact on campus culture.
“Our program is designed to be cadet-led and instructor-supervised,” said Koser, who began teaching JROTC at Lakewood High in 2010 before moving to Union in 2016. “That means juniors and seniors mentor the underclassmen and bring them along. The cadet leadership the past three years has been tremendous, and that is why our numbers are as strong as they are now. We never turn anyone away. If a student wants to join and we have a uniform, we want them here. The opportunities JROTC gives are unlike anything else.”
Union’s cadets train in a wide range of extracurricular teams, including the Army Raider Team, CMP Air Rifle Team, and NASP Archery Team. The battalion has excelled at formal Army inspections and accreditations, consistently earning recognition as an Honor Unit with Distinction.
That success has translated into real-world opportunities for Union’s graduates. Over the past 10 years, cadets have earned more than $5 million in scholarships, and between 5 and 10 percent of each senior class typically chooses to serve in the Armed Forces.
“This is a program that changes lives,” said Fann. “We are proud of every cadet who goes on to college, into the workforce, or into the military. It all starts here with the leadership skills and sense of discipline they learn in JROTC.”
Union’s color guard has long been active in the community, presenting the colors at football games, parades, and civic events across Sampson County. But presenting at an NFL game is another level entirely.
“To present the colors at an NFL game, that is a national spotlight,” Koser said. “We believe someone referred us because not many schools keep up a competitive drill program like ours. However it happened, we are honored to have been chosen, and I know our cadets will rise to the occasion.”
Fann agreed, stressing the symbolism of the moment. “From the very beginning, we teach reverence for the flag and the meaning it carries for every American,” he said. “These cadets understand the gravity of what they are doing. They practice constantly, and it shows.”
The six seniors chosen for the color guard represent the best of Union’s program. Selected for their experience, leadership, and dedication, they will carry the American flag, the North Carolina and South Carolina flags, the battalion colors, and ceremonial rifles.
Command Sergeant Major Emanuel Casimiro, who oversees all color guard operations, said the responsibility still feels surreal. “At first, I thought someone was playing a prank on me when I got the text about the Panthers inviting us. But it is real, and it is amazing. I feel some nerves, sure, but I chose this group for a reason. They have been doing it a long time, and I know we will be ready.”
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Alan Serrano will serve as the caller for the presentation. “This is one of the biggest honors of my life,” he said. “It is the fruit of four years of hard work in this program. Years from now, I will be able to look back and say, ‘Class of 2026 presented the colors at an NFL game.’ That is a legacy.”
Lt. Col. Aileen Serrano, special teams advisor, sees the opportunity as a platform for future cadets. “It sets a higher standard for our program. Younger cadets will see this and realize what is possible if they work hard. For me, it is also about making my family proud, especially my sister, who was a battalion commander before me.”
Capt. Celeste Guerrero Sandoval, commander of Charlie Company, admitted to some nerves but is focusing on the moment. “It feels rewarding because I have been in JROTC all four years. This is a highlight I will never forget.”
Maj. Mia Castro-Guerrero, chief of staff, said the honor carries extra weight for a program that sometimes feels overlooked. “A lot of people do not even know where Union is. To be on national television, it puts us out there. It shows all the hours of practice and drill have paid off.”
1st Lt. Daniya Newton, S-6 automations officer, said she feels the importance of representation. “Out of all the people in the program, I was chosen. And as a Black cadet, I want to show others that they can do it too. It makes me proud to represent my school, my community, and my family, especially since the Panthers are my dad’s favorite team.”
For the cadets, the moment is more than a drill. It is the culmination of years of dedication, the embodiment of lessons learned in JROTC, and a chance to represent their school and community with pride.
“They have done color guards for football games, basketball games, parades, you name it,” Koser said. “This one is bigger, but at the end of the day, it is the same drill. I am so proud of them, and I cannot wait to see them step onto that field.”
For Union High School and Sampson County as a whole, the Oct. 5 game represents more than 60 seconds of airtime. It is a chance to showcase the spirit and potential of students from a small rural school making their mark on a national stage.
“This is about recognition,” Fann said. “Sometimes out here in the far part of the county, we do not always get the spotlight. But these cadets deserve it. They will represent Union, Sampson County, and the state of North Carolina with pride.”
And for the seniors who will carry those flags, it is a memory they will carry for the rest of their lives.
“It is bigger than just us,” said Alan Serrano. “It is about showing what Union High School JROTC stands for. And when we walk out there on that field, we will be carrying more than flags. We will be carrying our school, our community, and our families with us.”