GBHS' Air Force JROTC holds awards, change of command ceremony

The Gulf Breeze High's Air Force Junior ROTC recently held their 14th annual Awards Ceremony.

After Cadet Colonel Daniel Dorman, a senior and Corps Commander of the AFJROTC unit at Gulf Breeze High School welcomed the attendees, Mr. Sylvan Ladner Gulf Breeze High School Principal, announced that FL-932 had been named as a Distinguished Unit again for 06- 07 School Year.

The previous night at the Senior Awards Ceremony, FL-932 recognized two honorary groups among the graduating seniors: the Gold Eagles-the best of the best of our Drill Team and Color Guard-Daniel Dorman (also Mil Ball King), Joey Nixon, Bill Parsons, Bre Shaw, Alyssa Werneth, and Ashley Wheeler (Mil Ball Queen).

The other group recognized was the Kitty Hawk Air Society: The National Honor Society of Air Force Junior ROTC. Roslyn Brown, Daniel Dorman, Patrick King, and Alyssa Werneth. They must maintain a 3.0 GPA, learn four memorization items, and do several Community Service Projects each year. They received a blue and gold cord to wear with their cap and gown.Three of our cadets received the big bucks of scholarships: Micah Whalen received a 4 year AFROTC Scholarship worth over $50,000. Joey Nixon received a 4 year Army ROTC Scholarship worth over $60,000, and Pat King was appointed to the Naval Academy Prep School.

SMSgt Ken Armitage their resident Aerospace historian-sponsored the color guard and drill team and put in hundreds of hours of overtime. Armitage took them to four competitions where they brought home nine trophies from the Drill and PT Meets.

Armitage and Lt. Col. Keith Wise, AFJROTC Senior Aerospace Science Instructor have been named in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" and also in the National Honor Roll of America's Teachers.

The University of Colorado has recognized the educational value of GBHS' AFJROTC Courses and has agreed to offer two semester hours of college credit for each AFJROTC Class taken: Aerospace Science 1,2,3 and 4.

The Air Force Association's Aerospace Educational Foundation recognizes Cadets in 10th and 11th grade who have achieved a 3.3 or higher GPA and are awarded the Aerospace Foundation Educational award to be worn on the uniform. They were: Justin Engle, Jake Conner, Jonathan Villanueva, Elizabeth Lawlis, and Jordan Mitchell. Sophomore cadets included Jake Wilson, Chris Dunn and Adam Kersch.

The following members of the model airplane club have earned their miniature wings to wear on their uniforms by building two airplanes and flying one of them: Michael Defore, Carl McDaris, Sam Buckley, Zach Wardle and Eric Gallup.

The AFJROTC Superior Performance Ribbon for outstanding achievement or meritorious service were awarded to Amy Churchwell, Bruce Cooke, Carl McDaris, Adam Kersch, George Weisnicht, Jake Wilson, Adam Woods and Justin Engle.

The following cadets earned the AFJROTC Achievement Ribbon for a specific achievement outstanding in nature: Jamie Burleson, Elizabeth Lawlis, Eric Gallup and Christian Pacheco.

The AFJROTC Leadership Ribbon for outstanding performance in a position of leadership as an AFJROTC Cadet in Corps Training Activities were awarded to: Bruce Cooke, Chris Riney, Melanie Weems, and Chris Martin.

Chris Martin is their new Corps Commander, and he has also been selected for their first award of the "Devil Dog" award from the US Marine Corps for his outstanding leadership potential.

The AFJROTC Outstanding Cadet Award-presented to an outstanding AS1, AS2, AS3, and AS4 cadet will then presented. Each recipient must be of high moral character, demonstrate positive personal attributes, and outstanding military excellence. They were: Bruce Cooke, Carl McDaris, Sky Hysler, and Ashley Wheeler.

The Tuskegee Airmen's Ribbon in honor of those brave African- American pilots of WW2 fame were given to Eric Gallup and Chris Barretta, who have been very active in Community Service Activities.

Chief Master Sergeant Tom Zima, USAF (Ret) of the Hurlburt Field Non-Commissioned Officers Association awarded cadet TSgt Sam Buckley with a NCO award.

The first AS-1 to reach the rank cap of TSgt., Buckley has shown more initiative than any Cadet NCO in recent memory.

The Air Force Sergeants Association Award, presented by Zima, was given to Cadet Jack Wolfe. He has been very active member of the staff as the IM NCO first semester and as IM CO the second semester faithfully printing the daily bulletin each day with many marginal quotes thrown in for free.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart Award, presented by Mr. Norman Meeker, was awarded to Cadet Bre Shaw. Bre has been very active member of the staff as the PT Commander first Semester and the executive Officer second semester.

CWO4, USN, Ret Johnny Gaither of the A&A Scottish Rite awarded the Scottish Rite Award to Cadet Elizabeth Lawlis who has been an active member of ROTC all year long.

Col Woody Barnes, USA, Ret presented the Sons of the American Revolution Award to Cadet Ryan Routh. Ryan has been our Squadron A Commander this semester and also Public Affairs Officer last semester.

The National Sojurners award, presented by Col Bill Tingler USA, Ret. was awarded to Cadet Amy Churchwell, the Corps Historian who's completing a scrapbook to add to the 13 year collection of the accomplishments of FL-932.

CMSgt Zima, representing Post 4407, Veterans of Foreign Wars, gave the VFW award to Cadet Melanie Weems. Mel has been an active member of the staff for all three years of high school, and is Commander of our Color Guard. Last semester she was honor Guard Commander

Col James Egler, USA, (Ret) of the Santa Rosa Chapter Military Officers Association, gave an award to Cadet Patrick Adamson. Pat has been very active in ROTC Staff this school year, Logistics NCO first semester and LG Chief this semester.

Col Bill Tingler, USA, Ret, from the Military Order of World Wars presented an award to Cadet Carl McDaris. Carl has been an active member of the cadet staff, serving as NCO of the Community Service Division and NCO of Kitty Hawk Air Society. He also won a scholarship to the MOWW Youth Leadership Conference in Tallahassee.

Cadet Bruce Cooke will be awarded a Reserve Officers Association Award at a later date, since many of whom are deployed. Bruce has been an active member of the Corps this year as our Logistics NCO and has excelled in Drill Team Competitions.

Air Force Veteran Margaret Miller of Post 12 AMVETS, presented an award to Cadet Christian Pacheco, Christian has been one of the top ninth graders in the Corps and also won a $50 US Savings Bond.

Mrs Anne Phillips of the Ft. Pickens Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presented a Daughters of the American Revolution Award and a $50 Bond to Cadet Roslyn Brown.

Roslyn has been an active member of AFJROTC this year and has commanded Kitty Hawk Air Society both semesters. She is planning to attend University of Central Florida.

The American Legion Military Excellence Award. awarded by Maj Tom Fitzgerald, USMC, Ret. was given to Cadet Kelsi Burgess.

Burgess, who also received a $50 savings bond, has done an excellent job as the recruiting officer this year.

The American Legion Scholastic Award, presented by Maj Fitzgerald, was awarded to Cadet Chris Dunn. He also received a $50 Savings Bond.

Maj. Bob Pocreva of Shangri-La Flight 21, representing the Daedalians, the National Fraternity of Military Pilots, gave an award to Cadet Jonathan Villanueva.

Jon is a prime example of the opportunities that a cadet has here at GBHS. He's an outstanding cadet officer, being Senior Enlisted Advisor first semester and Inspector General now. He was chosen to attend an allexpense paid AFJROTC honors camp this summer and will be the Deputy Commander next semester.

The Air Force Association Award, was awarded to Cadet Jake Conner. Jake has done a superb job as the Funds Manager this year, having previously served as Information Manager. The award was presented by Lt Col Jim Connors USAF, Ret (no relation) of the Hurlburt Field Chapter of the Air Force Association.

Mr. Jim McReynolds, of the Pensacola Beach Elks, awarded a miniature American Flag and a $500 Savings Bond to Cadets Ashley Wheeler and Bill Parsons. Ashley plans to attend Pensacola Junior College and University of West Florida to become a school teacher. Bill plans to join the Air Force ROTC in college to become an Air Force Officer.

Chief Brand of the Milton Police Dept and Mrs Alberta Craig of the VFW Post 4833 Auxiliary presented a $600 Scholarship to Cadet Alyssa Werneth. Alyssa plans to attend University of North Florida to enroll in the Navy ROTC Program and become a Navy Nurse.

Col Connors of the Hurlburt Field Chapter of the Air Force Association, awarded Outstanding Senior Cadet $500 Scholarships to c/Col Daniel Dorman and c/Col Joey Nixon. Daniel plans to go to college to become a Diplomat with the State Department, while Joey plans to become an Army Officer.

The following cadets were previously awarded their 4-year ROTC Medal with the red, white, and blue neck ribbon to be worn at graduation: Alyssa Werneth, Joey Nixon, Bill Parsons, Pat King, Bre Shaw, Ashley Wheeler, Daniel Dorman, Roslyn Brown, Scott Adams, Kelsi Burgess, and Sky Hysler.

The Military Parade and Change of Command Ceremony then followed. Cadet Chris Martin was promoted to the new Corps Commander.