Commander of the unarmed drill team, member of the color guard and ranked as a lieutenant, senior Sara Casler played a major role in ROTC. “When you’ve been a part of ROTC like I have, it’s more than a passion. It becomes who you are and how you behave,” Casler said. With her grandfather being a general in the Army and her step-father in the Marine Corp, Casler joined ROTC to follow in her family’s footsteps. “I was very interested in ROTC when I was first came to the school. I wanted to be qualified to wear that uniform,” Casler said. Casler participated in ROTC all four years. The passion and standards set by her family pushed her to do her best in ROTC. These high standards led Casler to place at every competition, including the University of South Florida competition where ROTC placed third overall, among other schools in the state.
Casler brings success to ROTC
page 232 grounded
photo/Carly Burton
Sara Casler
photo/Caroline Coleman
“It makes me feel like I am a part of Boone’s history. I just love how through
2
events]. It’s a service that I can do for the school,” Walen said. The cadets displayed the United States flag, the Florida state flag and the school’s flag. They had to understand the fundamentals of the procedure of presenting the colors to deserve the honor. At both lunches, ROTC sold snacks to students, allowing the cadets to earn money for the program. The earned money contributed to the expenses of travel arrangements to competitions and field trips such as Parris Island, the main training facility for new recruits in the Marines in Georgia. Students also sold candy to help fundraise for the program. With extracurricular activities like the Unarmed Drill team, the Armed Drill team, the Academic team, the Physical Training team and the Color Guard, the cadets learned the components of military standards in marching. Each team averaged 10 to 12 cadets. “[My favorite part of ROTC] is drilling the kids; they learn respect and learn the fundamentals of marching properly in the military,” Wilson said. With two to three hours of practice each day, they prepared for six competitions that ranged from September to March. In the competitions, cadets showed their skills in drilling, presenting the colors and physical training, such as push ups, sit-ups and running. They placed third overall at the University of South Florida competition on Feb. 11. [jacob ballard]
3
page 233 ROTC
[1] carry on. At attention, senior Ashley Clavette practices for the unarmed drill team competition. “[What I will take out of ROTC when I graduate] is the ability to be a leader and a sense of confidence,” Clavette said. Clavette was on the unarmed drill team for two years. [2] neck and neck. In physical training, freshman Andre Henry and sophomore Ethan Mondesir sprint on the track. “It’s a great class and program that has taught me great responsibility and discipline,” Henry said. Henry was an E2 Seaman Apprentice. [3] at attention. As he holds the flag, junior Brian Gaines practices marching in a squad. “We learn basic leadership skills for life and to do well in the class. We also have fun and learn responsibility,” Gaines said. Gaines was a Petty Officer 3rd Class as a junior.
Should be polished, free of smudges.
Shoes
Long and black with no design.
Socks
Must be a clean short sleeved white T-shirt. No wrinkled collar.
Undershirt
Must be shined to mirror perfection
Belts
ribbons, name tags, rate/rank must be measured and placed properly
Devices,
(Irish Pennants)
Free of IPs
Uniform washed, spotless, properly pressed
P P P P P P P
when getting dressed in a military uniform one must make sure to have the following:
Uniform necessities
all the years, they have kept the traditions alive and the passion for these traditions do not fade,” freshman Victoria Allanson said.
1
photo/Carly Burton
In the cool mornings, cadets stood at the base of the pole and saluted the flags as they raised them into the sky. The sun glared in their faces in the afternoon as they took them down and folded them into triangles, carrying out the proper military flag procedures. “I feel honored to be able to help the school as well the community with any activities and events that ROTC can assist with,” sophomore Christopher Walen said. As a part of the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp, cadets were familiar with the importance of hard work, dedication and responsibility. Cadets learned military standards through the responsibility of dressing in their naval uniforms every Wednesday. They underwent a personal inspection by Commander Craig Rouhier, 1st Sergeant Gus Wilson, and high ranked cadets, for a weekly grade of 100 points. “It feels awesome to see people look at my medals and ribbons. A lot of people have fought and died for this uniform. It represents what they have all done for us,” Commanding Officer Kaityln Hayes, senior, said. Cadets in Color Guard gained insight on how to properly present the National Colors for selected school events, such as football games. The Color Guard consisted of four cadets who represented the ROTC; members rotated for the honor and respect gained while being on it. Cadets were selected based on performance and motivational level in ROTC. “I feel very proud [to present the colors at school
cadets showed dedication through their teams and competitions
The few, , the the ROTC
photo/Ameilai Cheatman
oh say can you see. At the home football game, seniors Alexandria Vanhouten and Sara Casler, junior Noah Wagner and sophomore Christopher Walen present the colors. “[My investment in ROTC] makes my parents happy and proud of me. Also, I want to be in the Navy and [ROTC] pushes me for being in the Navy,” Wagner said. This was the first time Wagner presented the colors.
photo/Jacob Ballard