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ELKIN JROTC

NEWSLETTER

December 7, 2014 Public Affairs Officer’s / Publisher’s

Cadet 1st Lt. Pallotti

The Elkin High School JROTC held a Change of Command Ceremony on 17 September. Cadet Aaron

Sturdivant was promoted the highest rank to Lieutenant Colonel and became the Battalion

Commander. Cadet De’Yonna Gonzales was promoted to Major and became Executive Officer (XO),

John Walker was promoted to Command Sergeant Major. The JROTC military tradition represents a

formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commander to another. The

ceremony includes the passing of colors from and outgoing commander to an incoming one. Great

symbolism is attached to the ceremonial aspects of a change of command. The Change of

Command Ceremony ensures that the unit and its soldiers are never without official leadership, a

continuation of trust, and also signifies an allegiance of soldiers to their unit’s commander.

On October 17, 2014

Cadet Kylie Thomas

represented the Elkin High School JROTC program on the homecoming court, riding

in a Hummer through downtown Elkin during the homecoming parade. Cadet

Thomas is a LET II, and wears the rank of Sargent First Class, and she is the assistant

S2 for the JROTC program. She represented JROTC with distinction.

CHANGE OF COMMAND

CEREMONY

Homecoming Court

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The VFW Post 7794 of Elkin presented the Elkin JROTC program

a $500 check thanking the cadets and Instructors for

supporting the Veterans. The Quartermaster Sam Bishop and

Commander Joe Hicks donated the JROTC program money so

cadets could attend Raven Knob Boy Scout Camp. Sergeant

Abrams, Major Ferguson and all the cadets were very thankful

for this donation.

On November 10 JROTC cadets held a Veterans Day assembly to honor those who

served our country. The guest speaker was Quartermaster Sam Bishop, Veterans of

Foreign Wars Post 7794 of Elkin. XO De’Yonna Gonzales

and Rocio Bravo made the Veterans Day slideshow shown

during the assembly that everyone enjoyed. We are very

thankful that Mr. Bishop was our guest speaker he has

done a lot for our JROTC program.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Veterans Day Assembly

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Elkin JROTC cadets clinched second in a drill meet hosted at Elkin High School wearing

our new “dress blues”. They placed first in squad and platoon drill. Cadet Ricardo

Rendon finished second in the individual competition. “We have a great group of young

people here at Elkin High School and it showed again today,” said Major Ferguson.

Teams participating include North Wilkes, East Forsyth, Ashe County, North Iredell, East

Surry, West Iredell, Adkins, Glenn and Elkin. All of the Elkin cadets were engaged in

either running the meet or marching in the competitions. The cadets were visibly proud

of the new uniform and it was evident in the way they marched and carried themselves.

Drill Meet

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On September 20 2014 the JROTC cadets traveled to Raven Knob Boy Scout Camp

in Surry County. The trip included food, travel and adventure training which was

paid for from the funds donated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7794 Elkin

of North Carolina. The first three hours at Raven Knob included rappelling from

the new BB&T 70 foot high tower/ rock climbing, and eating pizza and drinking

cold refreshing drinks. We would like to thank the VFW Post 7794 for making this

day possible for the cadets. Without their support and generosity this day at

Raven Knob would not have been possible for the cadets to enjoy. All cadets that

repelled from the tower earned an adventure ribbon for their dress uniform.

Raven Knob

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On 25 October the Elkin JROTC Raider team went to compete at East Surry High School. Major Ferguson took two teams. The Alpha team composed of: Commander Grant Lloyd, Laken Lloyd, Maxwell Dumas Kylie Thomas,David Morton,Ras Walker, Hardin Walker, Kendall Freeman,and Victoria Tilley. The Bravo team included:Commander Matthew Waddell, Luis Anorve, Dockery Sloop, Karla Fuentes, Justin Redd, Ricardo Rendón,Carlos Salazar, and Jose Alvarez. The Raiders first started with pushups, and

situps, Grant Lloyd and David Morton did 99 pushups in 2 minutes! Both A and B teams ran their 5K in 31 minutes and few seconds. Raiders had to run an individual Mile, and Cadet Ras Walker ran the best mile which was less than 6 minutes. The A Team did the obstacle course in 7 minutes and 14 seconds, pulled the Humvee vehicle 40 meters in 25 seconds, and executed the rope bridge in 2 minutes and 36 seconds. The B team did the obstacle course in 9 minutes and few seconds, the rope bridge in 7 minutes and 46 seconds, and pulled the

Humvee vehicle in 35 seconds. Major Roy Ferguson was very proud of the Raiders hard work and dedication. We are proud to say that our JROTC Raiders came in 5th out of 11 schools that competed. It is the first time we have had 2 teams to compete.

Raiders Meet at East Surry

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On November 08, 2014 Elkin Raiders traveled to

Fred T. Foard to compete against 23 other

schools. They participated in Rope Bridge, the

5K team run, vehicle pull; obstacle course, and

the army physical fitness test. Elkin Raiders did

outstanding in all of the events. A team came in

7th in the Humvee vehicle pull out of 23 schools.

On October 3, 2014 EHS JROTC had their annual fundraiser to help the program raise money to

be able to go on field trips, cook outs, raider meets and drill

meets. We normally do a Chicken Flicken’ with barbeque

chicken. This year we have decided to try something new and

did a BBQ plate. We had a good number of cadets help out

with heating the BBQ up, making the plates and delivering

them. We were able to raise $2,700 with the help of the staff

and students at EHS and our local businesses who bought a

plate. We would like to thank everyone for supporting our

JROTC fundraiser.

Raider Meet at Fred T. Foard

BBQ FUNDRAISER

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JROTC cadets and students meet every Wednesday after school from 3

to 3:30 to read scripture, study the

bible, and prayer time. They pray for

each other, families, and students in

EHS. Everyone is welcome to attend the

club meetings on Wednesday.

On November 7 2014 JROTC cadets sponsored a blood drive at Elkin High School

Gymnasium. Cadets helped set up and take down the supplies. Our goal was to

collect 66 units of blood eighty three units

were donated! We would like to thank all

of the restaurants that donated food to

help us sponsor the blood drive. Also we

would like to thank the blood donors. Each

pint that was donated helped save 3 lives.

It was a great success!

FCC

Red Cross Blood Drive