The sections of the new JROTC building features different classrooms, storages and displays. “I feel like I can escape from all the school drama when I come out here,” junior Frankie Smith said. “Its so different from the rest of the school.” Photos by Trent Slutzky.
For years, Clarke Central High School’s JROTC program has been located in the basement of the school’s main building. Now, as part of the school’s $29.5 million renovation, the program has moved into a new, specialized building.
By KENNAE HUNTER – Staff Writer
The Clarke Central High School JROTC program moved into its dedicated facility located near the Freshman Academy on North Campus after winter break.
According to Sgt. Lorenda Harris, the previous JROTC suite did not meet the standards needed for the program.
“(The old classrooms) were a little bit unsatisfactory due to the fact that the walls were peeling. It was a dingy looking place if you (didn’t) keep it up everyday,” Harris said. “We only had two classrooms and three instructors, so two instructors shared one classroom, and space was compact.”
Students previously did their warm-up drills in the hallway or outside near the concession stand. Now, that JROTC program has a personal building so that they can freely do all formations and exercises with enough space and do commands as loud as needed.
“I like that we can do our formations in a bigger place because it doesn’t get as hot anymore,” junior Frankie Smith said.
The transition to the new building was slightly difficult because construction in the areas of the new and old locations had begun. Construction fencing closed some of the more simple routes to the new building.
“We had some construction workers helping us (move), but if the students would’ve had to do it by themselves it would’ve been a problem,” Harris said.
The new 1.3 million dollar JROTC building was designed specifically for the program. The JROTC instructors worked with the contractors to design the layout.
“(The contractors) listened to what we had to say as instructors. They designed (the building) and then they built it,” Ltc. William McMickle said.
