Wednesday, May 14, 2003
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Wednesday, May 14, 2003 |
Air Force Junior ROTC cites first-year accomplishmentsIt has been a busy and productive school year for Fayette's first Junior ROTC program. In its first year at Sandy Creek High School, the Air Force Junior ROTC had a number of notable successes. Within the first 30 days of school, all 110 cadets were in uniform and were able to conduct an impressive 9/11 ceremony for the entire student body. Early in the year, a cadet organizational structure was established and a promotion ceremony was conducted to recognize cadets for key leadership positions. Throughout the year, the unit's color guard performed 22 times at various school functions and athletic events. The unit got its first experience marching in a parade by participating in the Tyrone Founders Day Parade. Cadets had the opportunity to visit the Lockheed Corporation and see the production line of the Air Force's premiere F/A-22 aircraft. A trip to Montgomery, Ala., was also conducted to view the national Junior ROTC drill competition. To reinforce the aviation history portion of the curriculum, cadets also had the opportunity to take a field trip to the Aviation Museum at Warner Robins one of the top five aviation museums in the country. Classroom activities were a mix of academics, leadership and physical training. The aviation history portion of the program covered the progress of aviation and military operations since early flight. The leadership section covered marching, uniform wear and even understanding the responsibility of developing a budget. The program established standards for a physical fitness ribbon. This included sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run. Criteria were set to match college level ROTC standards. On many Fridays, the cadets were on the track trying to achieve this level of fitness with 31 of them earning the ribbon. Cadet activities also benefited the community. A food drive netted 1,500 canned goods for the needy, the color guard performed for a Veterans Day event at an elementary school honoring a number of local veterans, and the unit started a program to interview veterans and document their stories for national archival. Recently the cadets initiated a letter-writing campaign and made a banner for all of the high school students to sign. This material was sent to the troops in Kuwait and Iraq as a show of support. The seniors in the program deserve special recognition. They provided the leadership and set high standards. Five of the senior cadets earned some form of military scholarship, amounting to a total value of over $700,000. Cadet Captain Stephen Lawson received an appointment to the Air Force Academy, was awarded an Air Force ROTC scholarship and has elected to attend the Air Force Academy. Cadet Maj. Elbert Nieves received an appointment to the Military Academy at West Point, Cadet Capt. Tanner Smith received an Air Force ROTC scholarship and plans to go to Virginia Tech, Cadet Capt. Jessica Harper received an Air Force ROTC scholarship to Auburn, and Cadet Lt. Brandi Wade was offered an Army ROTC scholarship. It has been a great year. There are many goals and challenges ahead for the program, but the excellence, high standards and integrity of Sandy Creek High School's Air Force Junior ROTC program have set a solid foundation for continued success.
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