Off We Go..........

The Science of Flight curriculum is now complete - thanks for being patient. This semester we coupled the academic material with flight simulators - and finally real flying time. It's not exactly where we want it to be, but the plan is in place. Last week, several cadets were treated to a one-hour flight with the local Civil Air Patrol. With some funding from the Air Force and weeks of working liability issues, we were finally able to pull it off. Ashley Tramel, Ashleigh Sanford, Cameron Atkins, Alston Isaac, Derrick Francis, Wesley Miles, Chante Moss, and Emma Mendoza took to the "wild blue yonder" and put academics into action. It was a start toward our quest of having as many cadets as possible experiencing the thrill of flight.

Awards Ceremony Says it All!

The Annual AFJROTC Awards Ceremony was the perfect way to end another great year filled with honors and achievements. Our unit was again named an Air Force Distinguished Unit, and Colonel Pittman received his second Outstanding Instructor Award. But we know that those awards take a lot of hard work from everyone in the program starting with MSgt Ken Clere who is a "rock" in everything we do. As coach Boone told Coach Yost after the state championship game "You're a Hall of Famer in my book". We also recognized the support of our Principal, Mr. Lance Radford, by naming a new special team after him. The "Radford Rifles" are our new "kick 'em, toss 'em" rifle team, and they will forever wear his name on their ascots. After a preview performance by the team, Daniel Lee, the rifle team commander, presented Mr. Radford with a framed ascot to commemorate the event. We payed a special tribute to Lockheed Martin for supporting our program this year. We had Mr. Brian Carr, a representative of Lockheed Martin, with us so we previewed a special award we plan to formally present at a later date.

Our top cadets were also recognized. Ashleigh Sanford, Justin Harrison, and Daniel Lee were named the "Outstanding Cadets" for the year from their respective classes, and Justin Harrison received the Lance Radford Leadership Award. Daniel Lee was named the "Distinguished Cadet" as the top rising senior, and Ashley McCullough received the "Director's Award" as the top graduating senior. The awards ceremony captured the spirit of hard work and another giant step in the right direction. The bar has been raised for next year, but plans for more achievements are already in the works.

Enjoy the rest of the awards ceremony.......................

Our Presenters were Special

We are always glad to have veterans and representatives from the national organizations sponsoring our awards with us. We had Ms. Dorothy Johansen from the Behethland Butler of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mr. Chuck Satterfield from the Sons of the American Revolution, Major Guy Palmer representing the Reserve Officers Association as well as the National Sojourners, Scottish Rite, and Military Order of the World Wars, MSgt Wilton Mauldin from the Air Force Sergeants Association, Mr. Jim Forrester, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Colonel Joel Heiser from the American Legion, First Lieutenant Pam Durham with the Military Officers Association of America, and Captain Lewis Langley representing the Scottish Rite, National Sojourners, and the Military Order of the World Wars. It is always an honor to have Major Guy Palmer render his "Toast to the Flag" as our ceremony opens. What a wonderful tribute that inspires everyone in attendance.

The Awards Table Was Full

The awards table spoke volumes about the quality of our Cadet Corps. Cadets in this picture are (from top left to bottom right) Taylor Waldrop, Rebecca Francis, Chase Thompson, Cameron Atkins, Kyree Hollis, and Austin Mohring.

Cadets Are All Smiles With Awards

Seniors Andrew Hooper and Dean Kroeger (top left) receive color guard awards from MSgt Clere. Lexus Carr (top right) received the Hunley award from Jim Forrester. It was very fitting for a future Citadel cadet who would be near the historic relic in Charleston. Others pictured (center left to bottom right) Ashleigh Sanford (Order of the Purple heart), Erin Fuller (Daughters of American Revolution), Justin Harrison (Daedalian Award), and Ann-Marie Failor (AF Sergeants Association).

Freshmen Take Home medals

We had veterans, administrators, and organization representatives helping us honor our cadets. Mr. Terry Carnes, WHHS Assistant Principal, and US Navy combat veteran, was kind enough to help with the awards. Cadets pictured are (from top left to bottom right) Emma Mendoza, Barry Pyle, Chante Moss, Alex Harvey, and Rosalie Shumate.

Top Awards for Top Cadets

Some of our finest cadets had the opportunity to shake hands with presenters from national veteran organizations. There was a lot more going on than just receiving medals and certificates. Cadets receiving awards are (from top left to bottom right): Sami Ulrich, Cameron Trieper, LaChelsie Thomas, Rane Hardgrave, Mick Perry, Alston Isaac, and Ashanti Blandin.

Deserving Cadets Awarded

We were please to have awards presented to many of our cadets. As recent recipient of the "Sword of Excellence" as the top unit in the state and back-to-back Distinguished Unit Awards, it was still impossible to recognize all those who have contributed to that success. Cadets pictured above are (from top left to bottom right: , Rane Hardgrave, Kiefer Keller, Michael Murphy, Sami Ulrich, Victor Sanchez, Alex McCullough, Derrick Francis, Anthony Nguyen, Youngyhon Park, Wesley Miles, and Cable Frazier.