Cavalier Battalion's History

Brief History for Santiago High School and The Cavaliers Battalion (JROTC)

• Santiago High School opened its doors in the fall of 1961 with freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.  During the school year 1962-1963, a junior, Marsha Rubenstein, wrote the school's Alma Mater and the band director, Gerald Hedss added the music.  
• The first commencement was held on June 14, 1963.
• Mr. George Hill served as Santiago’s principal from 1961-1977.  
• Mr. Glenn Gwynn served as principal from 1977-1981.  
• Mr. Ray Arroyo served as principal from 1981-1986.  
• Mr. Bob O’ Higgins served as principal from 1986-1991.  
• Mr. Don Wise served as principal from 1991-1999.  
• Mrs. Ginny Lombardy from 2000-2002.
• Mr. Benjamin Wolf from 2002-2006.
• Dr. Lorena Sanchez from 2006-2012.      
• Dr. Lila Jenkins from 2013-2014.
• Dr. Michael Kennedy from 2015-2020.
• Dr. Christina Pijl is the current principal at Santiago High School (2020 to present).

• In 1995, the Army - Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (A-JROTC) was added to the Santiago high school's academic curriculum.  1SG Norman Stein was responsible for organizing the JROTC program; the first JROTC classes began in the second semester of the school year 1995-1996.  
• LTC Boostrom served as the Senior Army Instructor (SAI) from November 1996 - June 1997.    
• LTC Wandke was appointed as the Senior Army Instructor from July 1997-2005.  
• 1SG Stein left at the end of the 2003 school year.
• SFC Tony Torres was appointed as the Army Instructor (AI) in July 2003 and served until July 2009.  
• MSG Koehler served as SAI from 2006-2008.
• MAJ Matias assumed the duties of the Senior Army Instructor in September 2008.  
• 1SG Richardson assumed the duties of the Army Instructor in November 2009.