Newnan High School’s Air Force JROTC program has been recognized for excellence by the U.S. Air Force with a Distinguished Unit Award for the 2005-06 school year.

Newnan High School Principal Steve Barker and JROTC Lt. Colonel Glenn Broadnax (ret.), Senior Aerospace Science Instructor and Master Sergeant Jim Armstrong (ret.) and student Cadet Corps Commander Josh Owens (Cadet Colonel) were honored for the award by the Coweta County Board of Education at the board’s Tuesday meeting. The program leaders received a certificate from the Department of the Air Force, presented by Superintendent Blake Bass.

The Distinguished Unit Award recognizes Air Force Junior ROTC units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force Junior ROTC mission of producing better citizens for America.

The award is given to “the best of the best” of the nation’s 794 Air Force Junior ROTC units, said USAF Colonel Norm Balchunas, in a letter. The award recognizes the personal growth of cadets, the contributions of instructors as mentors of the cadets, and the support of the school and community, he said.

Col. Broadnax and Master Sgt. Armstrong commended the Newnan High cadets for an outstanding year. Colonel Broadnax said that the successful program year for the JROTC has helped the program grow from 112 students this year to an expected 170 cadets next year.

One of the successes for the Newnan JROTC this year was the selection of cadet Amanda McGee to attend the prestigious Aerospace & Technology Honors Camp at the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a member of the Air Force JROTC program, Cadet Captain McGee was one of only 470 cadets selected from 1,600 applicants, representing the top one half of one percent of the 110,000 AFJROTC cadets worldwide.

The objective of the camp is to introduce high-achieving high school cadets to scientific, technical, and rated career opportunities in the Air Force. This Secretary of the Air Force initiative orients selected AFJROTC cadets to aerospace technology educational opportunities and aerospace related careers through “hands-on” curriculum. Cadets visited college campuses, air and space operational units, research labs, historical sites, aerospace industries, research and technology centers, and museums. Additionally, cadets heard lectures from general officers, astronauts and pilots, and participate in simulator and airplane rides.

Selection to attend camp is very competitive. Those selected have a minimum GPA of 3.0, are enrolled in or have completed college-prep math and science courses, and have demonstrated leadership potential. Cadets must also exhibit the character, drive, and determination to pursue a technical/aerospace related career in college.

Cadets are also offered the opportunity to participate on the color guard and competitive drill and color guard teams. Color Guards participate all year in home sporting events as well as marching in several parades throughout the community. Newnan High School cadets presented colors at the opening of the new Coweta County Justice Center in March. The competitive drill/color guard teams travel to various locations to compete against teams from all branches of the service.

This year Newnan’s AF JROTC traveled as far as Tallahassee, Florida, to compete against teams from four different states.

The overall goals of Air Force JROTC are to instill in high school cadets the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and A sense of accomplishment. Newnan High School began their JROTC program in 1994, offering a four-year curriculum comprised of studies in Aerospace Science and Leadership Education. In addition to classroom studies, cadets are very involved in community service with participation in such events as Coweta County can-a-thon, Special Olympics, and other activities involving several community organizations and churches.

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