Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel David McMickle speaks at his retirement event in the JROTC building on May 10. McMickle retired after 16 years in the Clarke County School District, and oversaw many improvements to the program, including a change in location. “(JROTC was) in the dungeon down there. We used to actually go into our supply room and have to bang on the walls so the rats would run away and go back into the walls. It was that dirty, nasty, in that area down there. And I think over the years, people have just continued to believe in the program, and people joined the program and we built this program, we built this building.” Photo by Aza Khan
CCHS community members recognized JROTC Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel David McMickle at a celebration of his time at the school on May 10.
Members of the Clarke Central High School community gathered in the JROTC building on May 10 to celebrate the achievements of JROTC Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel David McMickle throughout his sixteen years in his position.
McMickle announced his plans to retire after the 2022-23 school year, and JROTC Booster Club President Jennine Delane worked alongside other Booster Club members to create an event to recognize his impacts on the school community.
Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel David McMickle receives an ornamental helmet at his retirement ceremony on May 10. McMickle has impacted many students during his time at Clarke Central High School, including Cadet First Sergeant Natasha Harley. “He’s had a good impact on all of us, just as a whole. I transferred here last year, in 10th grade, and he helped me feel welcomed and appreciated. He helped me because I was a little bit quiet because I didn’t really know anyone, new surroundings and everything,” Harley said. “But he’s helped me get out of my shell. I talk more. I’m one of the leaders now. And for that, I thank him because without him and without ROTC, I don’t think I would have done that.” Photo by Aza Khan
“Colonel McMickle has contributed over 16 years to our school district. He has led a phenomenal program in which hundreds of students have been impacted. We all felt that he was well deserving,” Delane said. “We definitely wanted to bring those who have been impacted by his contribution to the school district together to give him our last well wishes and send off.”
The program consisted of a series of speeches by various members of the JROTC community. Cadet Portfolio Chief Culture and Communications Officer CJ Amason, who has worked closely with the program since its inception, spoke at the event regarding McMickle’s ability to connect with the people around him.
“It was not a thriving JROTC program 16 years ago, and now it’s one of the best programs in the state of Georgia,” Amason said. “(McMickle’s) uncanny ability to build relationships with students, with colleagues, with administrators, with community members, that’s why this program is flourishing so much.”
McMickle appreciated the celebration of his accomplishments within the CCHS and JROTC community.
“I’m glad that people took the time out of their night to come acknowledge me, it touched me and I appreciate what y’all did, and so I’m just kind of speechless right now,” McMickle said.
Class of 2021 alumna Roxy Pena-Pineda attended the event to show her appreciate McMickle and the impact he had on her post-graduation life.
“I’m very familiar with all the instructors. I love them all. They’re like, (some) of the greatest people that I’ve met. They actually influenced me to join the National Guard,” Pena-Pineda said. “Yeah, they’re overall great instructors, great people. I actually did miss the program in a way (after my graduation). It really taught me a lot of leadership. And it made me the person I am now.”
Junior Natasha Harley, current Cadet First Sergeant, found the event to be an excellent opportunity to offer McMickle appreciation from the CCHS community.
“I’m happy we’re able to do this because since he’s retiring we all miss him and we wanted another way to let him be loved and welcomed,” Harley said. “Since he’s not gonna be here next year when I graduate, I just wanted to say bye now.”
