Junior ROTC Cadets Take Part In Air Force Leadership Course

CANTON, GA -- Fifteen Cherokee High School Junior ROTC cadets recently participated in the Air Force’s Cadet Leadership Course at The Citadel.

Cadets who graduate from the program receive outstanding leadership training, which is enforced through hands-on military drill and team-building exercises throughout the week’s program.

More than 300 cadets from across the Southeast participate in this annual encampment in Charleston, South Carolina.

Days were jam-packed with leadership activities, beginning at 5 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. The cadets endured seven challenging days of physical fitness, academics, leadership challenges, uniform and room inspections, parade, obstacle course, marksmanship and field activities.

“Cherokee’s 15 cadets look forward to using what was learned at the camp to sharpen their social, organization, and leadership skills as they are promoted in rank and take on greater responsibility during the 2016-17 school year,” said Lt. Col. (Retired) Eddy Stanfill, senior aerospace science instructor for the school’s JROTC program.

Cherokee High School cadets’ honors include:

• Academic Award (top 10 percent): Vincent Gonzalez, Stephen Kaiser and Gunnar Phillips
• Top 10 percent Drill: Brandon Merck and Vincent Gonzalez
• Outstanding Cadet of Flight: B Flight, Stephen Kaiser; C Flight, Brandon Merck
• Fleet Foot Award (Fastest one-mile run time): Sean Witmer
• Top 10 percent (Of 300 cadets): Stephen Kaiser, Brandon Merck and Gunnar Phillips
• Honor Flight and Competitive sports: Sean Witmer

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PHOTO: From left to right, front row: Brandon Merck, Dawson Harrell, Stephen Kaiser; second row: Gunnar Phillips, Bryeanna Hillman, Sean Witmer, Merlith Cruz, Nicole Tullis, Vincent Gonzalez, Walker Sosebee; back row: Chase Whatley, Ashley Grams, Jacob Heard, Chaolin Hancock, Noah Foster and Cody Stroup. Credit: Cherokee County School District