Assistant Logistics Officer Benjamin Cranston, a sophomore, sits in front of bushels of Granny Smith apples in the Clarke Central High School JROTC building. The JROTC program started selling apples as a fundraiser on Sept. 1, and the cadets were encouraged through competition and incentives to sell as many apples as possible. “What we try to do is pit one block against the other block,” Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel David McMickle said. “If you sell enough apples you get your Raider fee and/or your drill team fee waived, so we give you an incentive to sell apples and pay for your own way.” Photo by Maya Clement
As a fundraiser, the JROTC program at CCHS sold Granny Smith apples to raise money for program activities, equipment and uniforms.
The Clarke Central High School JROTC program sold Granny Smith apples as a fundraiser for the program. While the fundraiser ended on Sept. 30, they are still selling leftover apples.
The money raised from the fundraiser is used to purchase equipment and uniforms, as well as covering some of the cost of upcoming events such as the Military Ball.
“With that money (from fundraising), we’re able to buy the tools that we use for (physical training) and all the games we play and we’re able to buy better quality uniforms,” Assistant Logistics Officer Benjamin Cranston, a sophomore said. “We use the money for lots of things, it just helps. It’s like company profits.”
According to Battalion Personnel Officer Karla Pastor, a junior, the fundraiser gives JROTC the resources and support to have more entertaining opportunities and encourage people to join the team.
“(Supporting the JROTC) makes the program more fun and encourages upcoming freshmen to join the program, which I think is a good thing because we promote better citizens as the Creed states,” Pastor said. “I think JROTC is a good class to learn from so fundraising helps make it more fun (by giving us more opportunities).”
“I think the kids need to see that the people, either the grandparents or parents or anybody that are buying these (apples), are buying them to support them.”
— David McMickle,
CCHS Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel
According to CCHS Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel David McMickle, while the JROTC cadets are appreciative of the support they receive from fundraising, they don’t always realize the effect it can have on the program.
“I don’t think (the JROTC cadets) see (the support) as much as they should. But there’s a lady (who) sold almost $500 worth of apples herself. She says, ‘I give back because I want to give back to the kids. Every time I come over (to the JROTC building), they’re extremely nice, they load my things up, and I see disciplined kids,’” McMickle said. “I think the kids need to see that the people, either the grandparents or parents or anybody that are buying these (apples), are buying them to support them.”
