The “drill world” is a place populated with wonderful individuals from all walks of life. Drill-Team Dynamics Inc. will spend the next several weeks introducing you to some of these amazing people, all of whom have unique insight and experience to share with others. There is a lesson to be learned from each of these drillers and we hope that you find their words both motivating and useful as you seek to improve yourself or your team!
Mr. Fong Thao
“Your experience on the drill team is going to be how you make it. How would you want to be remembered? Challenge yourself, and dare to be GREAT. Anything is possible. “
Our next featured driller, Mr. Fong Thao, is a 2013 graduate also hailing from California. Mr. Thao captured our attention for several reasons. While many cadets are fortunate enough to attend schools with Nationally-competitive programs, scores more only dream of one day attending the National High School Drill Team Championships held annually by Sports Network International. Mr. Thao
separated himself from the pack by virtue of his determination and motivation. He worked tirelessly to fund his own trip across the country and proudly represented California at the most prestigious drill competition in the world. His work ethic and drive shows the drill world that with hard work, dreams do come true.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you first got involved in drill.
My name is Fong Thao from Sacramento, CA, alumni of Hiram Johnson High School, and future airman of the United States Air Force. I became familiar with drill when I first saw Blake Jackson and the Devil Pups Drill Team featured on the Disney film “Cadet Kelly.” I really enjoy watching armed precision drill teams and always wanted to be a part of a uniformed team. Fortunately many high schools in my school district had a JROTC program, so I joined the instant I got into high school.
Which individuals and teams did you look up to as a novice driller?
The teams that I really looked up to as a novice driller were the USMC Silent Drill Platoon, US Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team, USMA Black Knights, New Guard America, NU Shock Platoon, John Jay Silver Eagles, and most definitely the Hawaiian King’s Guard. I never had anyone to look up to for drill, but the three drillers that most inspire me were Langston Nguyen, Eron Fayson, and Matthew D. Wendling.
Tell us about your journey to the 2013 National High School Drill Team Championships.
I have always dreamt of competing at the Nationals High School Drill Team Championships. I honestly never thought I would ever get the opportunity to step Ocean Center and actually compete. Thinking I would never physically compete at Nationals, I thought I could compete there mentally.
I never stopped practicing, training, and improving. I told myself that as long as I get as good as the kids who compete at the Nationals, I would be happy. Where I was from, no one knew about the Nationals, nor did they call themselves “drillers.” I became acquainted with Oscar Arroyo and Bryan Smith who were the first and only two competitors at the Nationals I knew of that came out of California. They’re appearance and placing at the Nationals was a major motivation for me to get myself out there as well. They saw my videos on YouTube and talked me into going to Nationals.
At the midst of my senior year in high school, I started my journey to the Nationals. I performed for public events, VFW, and American Legion. I also did car washes, fundraisers, putting out flyers, sending out donation-request letters, and making a donation site online to raise money for my trip. With the support of my family, friends, and JROTC instructors, I was able to raise enough to fund my trip.
I met many drillers that I’ve seen on YouTube, made new friends, and placed 10th in the nation. The Nationals was a dream come true and the best experience in my whole life.
What has been your most memorable drill-related moment thus far?
My most memorable drill-related moment thus far is competing at the 2013 Nationals Drill Team High School Drill Team Championships and performing on live television after my interview about representing California at the Nationals.
What keeps you motivated to drill?
What keeps me motivated to drill is the opportunity to teach it to others and share the same art as many of the greatest people I’ve met through drill. Also, I really want to give out to others and offer them guidance that I did not receive in order to become a better driller.
What do you love most about drill?
I love how you can easily connect with others and make friends nationwide simply because you all share the same passion for drill.
What is your favorite move, trick, or sequence right now?
My favorite trick is the right shoulder double flyin’ Hawaiian kneeling catch.
What advice do you have for today’s drill team members?
Be YOU. There is no one more you than YOU. Don’t be afraid to be different. NEVER wait for anyone in order to practice. Anyone despite gender can become a great driller, but not everyone. When others doubt you, prove them wrong and prove yourself wrong.
Watch as many drill videos as you can, study them, learn from them, and apply that knowledge to your drill. Whenever you have the opportunity to perform, take it! If you don’t have the opportunity to perform, make it! The more experience you get, the better you will become. Your experience on the drill team is going to be how you make it. How would you want to be remembered? Challenge yourself, and dare to be GREAT. Anything is possible.
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