Clarke Central High School senior Frazier Taylor stands in the parking lot during his fifth period JROTC class. Taylor feels that he has been positively impacted by the program in a variety of ways. “It’s definitely given me a better look on life. I think I have more poise now,” Taylor said. “I think I’ve got the courage to go out and do whatever I want to do and I’m not afraid of if I have to step up and take charge of something to do it.” Photo by Lily Bruce-Ritchie
After four years in the JROTC program, Clarke Central High School senior Frazier Taylor plans to continue applying the leadership abilities he’s developed during his time in the program by signing with the Marines.
When senior Frazier Taylor came to Clarke Central High School his freshman year, he had no idea where he would fit in.
“Back then, I was a terrible freshman trying to figure out who I was, what I was gonna be,” Taylor said.
Initially, the strict classroom environment in Taylor’s JROTC class made it difficult for him to adjust to the program.
“When I first got there my freshman year, it was a little rough. It was still in the old building and it was all dark and gloomy down there and we had a bunch of kids in our class that didn’t really care. They didn’t really want to be there,” Taylor said.
Though Taylor had a difficult time transitioning into the JROTC program, senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel William McMickle encouraged Taylor to continue with the program.
“He’s always challenged me to be the best that I can be and I made a vow to him that I wouldn’t let him down,” Taylor said. “He’s always been there whether I wanted him to be or not.”
Even though former CCHS Army Instructor Sgt. Lorenda Harris left during the beginning of Taylor’s journey in the program, he has heavily influenced Taylor’s personal life.
“I think I have influenced him in many ways, as a person, as a young male, to be all he can be,” Harris said. “Initially, when I first met Frazier and he was going through some things. His father had passed away at a young age and really there was no Black male in his life from the mother’s standpoint.”
McMickle thinks back on the impact he has made in Taylor’s life over the past four years, in addition to how he’s seen Taylor buy into the program.
“I hope I showed him what an adult male should act like. I’ve tried to be a role model for him and I hope he’s had fun over the last four years because JROTC is fun,” McMickle said. “He has been one of those young men who has bought into the program and I think that he’s enjoyed the program.”
McMickle reflects on Taylor’s growth throughout his time in JROTC and the relationship that they have developed.
“You can’t tell somebody to do something if you’re not willing to do it yourself, so I think Frazier has kind of realized that. I think Frazier has grown into a leader,” McMickle said. “It’s been a pleasure having him in the program. I very much enjoy seeing Frazier every day and I appreciate his positive attitude and his willingness to do what needs to be done for the program.”
Taylor plans to continue learning and applying his leadership abilities after graduating high school.
“I was always like, ‘I wanna be in the military when I grow up,’ and as I started to explore the different branches, the Marine Corps really stood out to me even though I’m in the Army ROTC,” Taylor said. “I signed with the Marine Corps last year in November and I think (the program has) prepared me, ample enough, to go in there and do my best.”
Looking back to when he first started the program, Taylor says that he has seen himself develop into a much stronger person.
“I think I’ve become a very mentally stable person just because of the challenges that were thrown at me,” Taylor said. “It definitely pushed me to my limits.”
