Important Florida Information for Parents

We have sent home a medication form that you need to fill in, sign, and return if you need us to dispense medication on the Florida trip. Please send the form along with medication in the original container in a zip-lock bag if possible. If we discover any other medication not covered on the form, we must treat it as we would an "at school" incident - and confiscate it. You would be notified immediately. Thank you for helping us conduct a safe trip for all our cadets.

The other issue we want to re-assure you on is that we take trips like this very seriously. We have selected deserving cadets who have demonstrated excellent performance and conduct. But we want you to know that we expect that same level of behavior on this trip. The cadets will be supervised at all times, and we will not tolerate misconduct. They will have fun and they will learn, but they will represent Wade Hampton High School and the United States Air Force in a positive manner.

Pensacola Beach Trip

Due to some room and tour issues in Fort Walton Beach, we have moved our CIA trip Westward to beautiful Pensacola Beach. All arrangements stay the same:

• Days Inn is "on-the-beach" - steps from sand and Gulf
• Breakfast is included, and Firehouse Subs and Papa John's pizza for dinner all three nights.

We believe that our cadets will enjoy this visit even more. There is more to do at this location, and we will be able to visit the world famous Naval Air Museum that includes the most inclusive collection of naval aircraft, an I-Max theater, flight line tours, and hands-on simulator rides with the Blue Angels or Dessert Storm aircraft. We will also visit the historic Fort Pickens nearby. Boardwalk dining, shopping, and miniature golf are a short walk from the hotel.

Here is some pertinent information for parents:

• Hotel: Days Inn at 16 Via de Luna on Pensacola Beach
• Hotel phone: (850) 934-3300 Instructor cell: (essential calls only): (864) 735-8050
• Departure time: Wednesday, 28 April at 4:30 PM from school - bring luggage to school
• Arrival time in Pensacola: Approximately 1:00 AM
• Departure time from Pensacola: Sunday, 2 May at 10:00 AM
• Arrival time at WHHS: Approximately 8:00 PM (will have cadets call with updates)
• Female Chaperons: Ms. Cynthia Fuller, Ms. Catherine Smith
• Cadet Troup Commander: C/Col Ashley McCullough
• Medicine: Instructors MUST know if they are to dispense medicine on the trip. Call (864) 355-0122/0124

Additional information:

• Bring as many snacks as desired - microwave and fridge in room
• Cadets should bring money for at least 5 meals plus putt-putt, souvenirs, etc.
• No uniforms are required, bathing suits MUST be conservative, school clothes for tour
• Cadets MUST bring sunscreen. Recommend beach towels, beach chairs, etc.
• Wade Hampton HS rules are in effect on this trip at all times. Room curfews enforced.
• Permission forms and health information must be turned in to instructors ASAP
  

Cadets of the Month

We are very proud to announce our Cadets of the Month for April. These cadets are selected based on their attitude toward ROTC, their military performance, and their demonstrated desire to serve others. Cadet Master Sergeant Samantha Ulrich is the A Flight Cadet of the Month. Cadet Technical Staff Sergeant Younghyon Park was picked from B Flight, and Cadet Master Sergeant Derrick Francis is the C Flight Cadet of the Month. Congratulations to all!

STEP Promotions

Congratulations to the following cadets who have received Stripes for Exceptional Performers (STEP) promotions for their outstanding performance as first-year cadets. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments:

Cameron Atkins
Alex Harvey
Sami Ulrich
Taylor Waldrop
Anthony McComb
Kyree Hollis
Cable Frazier
Ann Marie Failor
Matthew Flowers
Alston Isaac
Keifer Keller
Emma Mendoza
Anthony Nguyen
Cameron Treiper

These cadets are in the top ten percent of this year's Aerospace Science I Cadets.

Mauldin Miracle League

On April 10th, members of the SC-954 Color Guard performed the opening ceremonies at the Mauldin Miracle League's first game of the season. It is always a heart-warming experience to be among these handicapped children who have the opportunity to experience the thrill of baseball. Many wonderful people showed up to be coaches and mentors. We are extremely proud of our special team members who gave up a Saturday morning to be part of this event. Color guard members were Andrew Hooper, Daniel Lee, Rebecca Francis, Dean Kroeger, Mick Perry, Derrick Francis, and Taylor Waldrop.

Florida Trip In Concrete

As of 3:30 today, April 12th, the Florida trip is a financial commitment - and WE ARE COMMITTED FINANCIALLY. There can be no refunds at that point unless there is a bona fide family emergency. The only way to withdraw from the trip is to find another cadet who can take your place.

Florida Down to the Wire

We will have to make a final decision Monday on how to proceed with this trip. At this point it is a business decision. We have 41 cadets who have paid deposits and we need 40 with full payment to break even. Additionally, we have not heard from teachers yet on the academic status of all cadets. Cadets who are failing a course or who the teacher does not feel can miss two days of school will obviously not be permitted to go. Those teacher forms are due back to us Monday. A final decision will be made Monday. We will issue refunds as appropriate. We were so hopeful that we could fill a bus with 44 Wade Hampton cadets. If we do not have 40 fully-paid/qualified cadets on Monday, we will again have to split the trip with Blue Ridge ROTC. That means we will only be able to take 24 WHHS cadets. We have to make the decision on Monday to pay our deposits and be guaranteed rooms. There can be no refunds after Monday for those fully paid and selected to go unless an alternate can take their place. The bright spot is that there will be other trips to Florida, and we are even looking at one to DC next Fall.