Cool Pictures!

Skating Brings Cadets Together

On October 28th about 40 Wade Hampton cadets joined with 20 more from Blue Ridge High School AFJROTC for an afternoon of skating, pizza, and DJ music. Lt Col David Rogers and MSgt Fred Fuller joined Colonel Pittman, MSgt Clere and the cadets for some great fellowship. It was the first of many future efforts to get Greenville County JROTC programs together. Several cadets from both schools had attended the Converse Cadet Leadership School. They had a great time sharing memories. We were also pleased to have the Littles and Mr. Bruns join us. Even though there were a few spills, there were many more smiles.

Homecoming Teams Are Sharp!

Homecoming is a time to play your best - and show your best. The SC954 Color Guard and Saber Team displayed the best of precision drill and outstanding team execution. The Color Guard under the command of Cadet Captain Summer Hinton proudly presented our colors as the Wade Hampton chorus sang the National Anthem. Other members of the Color Guard included Cadet Colonel Amanda Harper, Cadet Second Lieutenant Gregory Little, and Cadet First Lieutenant Kristina Bracewell. At halftime these cadets were joined by Cadet Second Lieutenants Andrew Hooper, David Thomas, and Thomas Smith for a superb saber arch for the Homecoming contestants. SC954 added a special touch to the Homecoming festivities. Thanks to all the cadets for their hard work.

October Calendar

1. Uniform wear - any combination.....color guard practice 0700
2. Drill team practice 0700
3. E2C.....Color Guard at home football game: white pants, red accessories - 1800 show
4. Tiger Drill Meet at Clemson University: depart WHHS at 0730
5. Sunday
6. Drill team practice 0700
7. Drill team practice 0700
8. Uniform wear - any combination.....color guard practice 0700
9. Drill team practice 0700
10. E2C
11. Saturday
12. Sunday
13. Columbus Day.....Drill team practice 0700
14. Drill team practice 0700
15. Uniform wear - any combination....color guard practiec 0700
16. Drill team practice 0700
17. Teacher in service.....color guard at home football game: white pants, red accessories
18. Saturday
19. Sunday
20. Teacher in-service
21. Drill team practice 0700
22. Uniform wear - any combination.....color guard practice 0700
23. Drill team practice....Red Ribbon Week begins.....Skating Party permission slips due
24. E2C
25. Saturday
26. Sunday
27. Drill team practice 0700.....Eastside Week begins
28. Drill team practice 0700.....Skating Party: leave WHHS at 1615 hrs
29. Uniform wear - any combination (may change due to Eastside Week activities)
30. Drill team practice 0700
31. E2C.....Eastside football game, color guard in white pants, red accessories.....Halloween

Tiger Drill Meet: October 4, 2008

One of the first events of the year is the Clemson University ROTC "Tiger Drill Meet" which takes place in the shadows of Death Valley. A dozen precision drill teams from NC, SC, and Georgia gather to compete in an atmosphere of patriotism and good spirit. Complete with ceremonies honoring our colors and superb judging from Clemson's Detachment 770, the nationally famous Pershing Rifle Drill Team, and the Tiger Platoon Drill Team, the event is a special way to start the drill team season. We thank all involved for hosting and providing such a wonderful setting and a professionally run drill competition. Wade Hampton High School was well-represented by its Air Force Junior ROTC department. The following articles tell our story of TDM 2008.

Special Thanks To Our Parents

Our cadets worked really hard to get ready for the Tiger Drill Meet. But what we didn't expect was such tremendous support from our parents. As soon as we got off the bus, the parents had a long table set up with donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate. All through the day, they provided the cadets with water, drinks, and snacks. They also prepared an elaborate lunch with all the trimmings. We were all amazed - and so appreciative. So we are passing along a very special "thank you" to the Littles, the Bracewells, the Cossels, Mr. Bruns, Amanda's Grandmother, the Hoopers, and many others that I will recognize as soon as I get all the names. You were all wonderful to us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

Awards Make the Hard Practice "Sweet"

Cadet Colonel Amanda Harper, our Drill Team Commander, beamed in front of hundreds of cadets and spectators - three times - to claim trophies for Wade Hampton High School's AFJROTC program. The teams won first place in "Individual Drill" and two second place trophies in "Open Ranks Inspection" and "Unarmed Element" competition. MSgt Ken Clere, the drill team advisor, was extremely proud of the hard work accomplished by the team. Sergeant Clere directs their practice at 7:00 a.m. four days a week to achieve this level of excellence. Colonel Ben Pittman, the new Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, was extremely impressed with the efforts of all involved.

Armed Teams Made Us Proud

Marching with rifles is extremely demanding in competition. Cadet Colonel Amanda Harper led both rifle teams during precision drill, and they out-classed most every other team. Several freshmen competed in these events and did very well. They are our future, and they are already gaining valuable experience. Good job!

Two SC954 Cadets Claim First Place

One of the most pressure-packed competitions at the Tiger Drill Meet is "Individual Drill". While one cadet calls commands, the evaluated cadet marches through his paces with a weapon. But before he marches he receives a close-up personal appearance inspection looking for any flaw in uniform wear. Our team of Cadet Second Lieutenants Daniel Lee and Gregory Little "aced" the event and took the first-place trophy for SC-954.

SC-954 Wins In Inspection

The Tiger Drill Meet planners added a new event this year - but a good one - unit inspection. During this competition, each unit had to undergo a complete "open ranks" inspection for uniform and personal appearance excellence. The judges followed strict Air Force guidelines. To add more pressure, the judges asked questions while they inspected like: "Who is the Secretary of Defense?", "Who is Chief of Staff of the Air Force?", and "What is that award you are wearing and what did you do to earn it?" Our cadets were ready and finished second overall in this competition.

Color Guard Performs Superbly

The Wade Hampton color guard "nailed" their commands from Cadet Captain Summer Hinton in front of Clemson Pershing Rifle judges. We thought they looked the best of all the schools as they displayed and carried our Nation's and State's colors. Color Guard judging is very exacting, and the smallest error can separate many teams who are otherwise awesome. And ours was just that - awesome!

Unarmed Teams Shine

Our unarmed teams looked really sharp as they dazzled the crowd with their sharp uniforms. Cadet Colonel Amanda Harper called crisp, exacting commands as the teams hit their movements with precision and poise.

Color Guard Debuts New Uniform

The Wade Hampton AFJROTC color guard revealed a new uniform for the game with Greenville High School. Wearing Wade Hampton red to compliment academy-style white pants, Cadet 2nd LieutenantThomas Smith led the color guard through a flawless performance. Other members of the color guard were Cadet Colonel Amanda Harper, Cadet 1st Lieutenant Kristina Bracewell, Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Gregory Little, and Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Daniel Lee (back-up).

Corps Commander Selected

Cadet Colonel Amanda P. Harper has been named commander of the Corps of Cadets at Wade Hampton High School. She is responsible for leadership training activities, cadet community service projects, and precision marching teams. Cadet Harper is also the commander of the AFJROTC "Generals" drill team which competes in several meets throughout the year. Cadet Colonel Harper is a graduate of the prestigious Citadel Cadet Officers Leadership School in Charleston and the Converse College Cadet Leadership School in Spartanburg.