JROTC cadets stand at ease outside of the front entrance to Clarke Central High School on September 11, 2019. To honor cadets’ achievements, the JROTC planned an awards ceremony for April 19. “No matter what grade you’re in, (all cadets are) welcome and encouraged to come,” Battalion Commander Zaili Gantt, a senior, said. “I have to give a speech. The Battalion Commander usually gives an overall review of their time in JROTC, things they’ve learned, their takeaways and then awards are given out.” Photo by Krista Shumaker
The CCHS JROTC program is hosting an awards ceremony to celebrate cadets’ achievements in the JROTC building on April 19.
Clarke Central High School’s JROTC program will hold their awards ceremony on April 19 in the JROTC building. Instructors will distribute both in-school awards and awards donated by veterans’ organizations.
The awards ceremony was canceled during the 2019-20 school year due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and the event returned for the 2020-21 school year.
“I had a lot of students that were deserving but did not (receive) the awards that they would have been awarded (during the 2020 ceremony),” Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel David McMickle said. “Last year, we were able to do it with masks on and this year, we will be doing it with masks optional. We have a full house, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Outgoing cadets who attend the ceremony will be wearing their JROTC uniforms for the last time, and are encouraged to reflect on their experience.
“I would certainly hope that (senior cadets) reflect on their last four years of JROTC, and I hope that they reflect in a positive way,” McMickle said. “They have (had) the privilege to wear that uniform, for the last three or four years depending on how long they’ve been in the program.”
“I would certainly hope that (senior cadets) reflect on their last four years of JROTC, and I hope that they reflect in a positive way. They have (had) the privilege to wear that uniform, for the last three or four years depending on how long they’ve been in the program.”
— Lieutenant Colonel David McMickle,
Senior Army Instructor
During the ceremony, Battalion Commander Zaili Gantt, a senior, will give a speech reflecting on her time in JROTC.
“In the past, (the awards ceremony) hasn’t really been that emotional (for me) because I didn’t really know everyone, I didn’t really have much responsibility. But now since I’m (in charge of) more people and have a bigger responsibility, it is going to be bittersweet for me because this is my last year,” Gantt said. “(The ceremony) means moving on to a new chapter in my life. (I’m) thanking my instructors for the knowledge they’ve poured into me and what I’ve been able to get throughout the program. It’s like a final goodbye.”
