MNA

The Ministry of National Defense’s National Senior High School Honor Guard Finals was held this afternoon at the plaza of the National Theater and Concert Hall in Taipei. The nine schools that advanced to the finals performed rifle-drill routines under the blazing sun with steady marching and precise, synchronized rifle movements, each presenting a distinctive style. The students demonstrated fearless confidence and youthful spirit throughout the competition. In the end, Kang Ming Senior High School from Tainan City emerged as the champion. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo Li-hsiung presented the championship trophy and posed for a group photo with the winning team. After arriving at the venue, Minister Koo first interacted with representatives from 21 military clubs and exhibition booths. The Ministry of National Defense Art Performance Group, along with the Tri-Service Honor Guard and Ministry of National Defense Symphony Orchestra, then delivered impressive warm-up performances. During the competition, each school’s honor guard team took the stage in sequence. Accompanied by a variety of musical selections, the teams demonstrated the results of their training through formation changes and advanced rifle-handling maneuvers. Undaunted by the high temperatures, the participating students completed their performances with steady movements and exceptional discipline, displaying both a strong sense of honor and youthful vitality, and earned enthusiastic applause from the audience. “Junior schoolmates, don’t be afraid—your senior schoolmates are here!” Before the competing teams entered the venue, spirited cheers rang out from supporters representing each school, encouraging the teams and demonstrating strong school unity and cohesion while reflecting the honor guard tradition of pride and camaraderie. Spectators throughout the venue raised cameras and mobile phones to capture memorable moments as students pushed themselves to excel in pursuit of honor and achievement. At the conclusion of the competition, Kang Ming Senior High School claimed the championship title, while Pingtung Girls’ Senior High School and Shin Shing High School earned second and third place, respectively. Minister Koo presented commemorative posters and trophies to the participating schools and also awarded a specially designed Ministry of National Defense banner to the champion team. He then posed for a group photo with all participants and brought the event to a successful conclusion.