Going For The Gold (Award That Is)!

Averi Jolly has been an active Girl Scout for ten years and in October 2010, she was awarded the prestigious “Gold Award” which is the highest award given in Girl Scouts. For her project, “Sowing the Seeds of Love”, Averi built a raised bed garden at McCarthy Teszler School. Averi’s older sister attends the school which serves special needs students. The garden she designed helps special needs children learn about nature and allows wheelchair bound students the opportunity to get their hands dirty planting fruits and vegetables, watching them grow and then harvesting them. Averi raised $1,900.00 for the project and after purchasing supplies was able to donate the remaining $500.00 towards the purchase of seeds and upkeep. She spent close to 74 hours designing, building, and overseeing the completion of the project. Averi feels empowered to make a difference in the world after seeing the children at McCarthy Teszler enjoy watching the garden being built and knowing what they have to look forward to. The overwhelming success of this project of love has inspired her to do more. Throughout the project Averi has developed a stronger sense of self, she has improved her critical thinking, and continued to strengthen a healthy relationship within her community.

Great job Averi!

Academic Team Getting Their Brains Flowing!

Byrnes AFJROTC Academic Team is back and in full swing. Team members are excited with last year’s success and have their sights on an even better finish this year. Led by Cadet Erin Pennell, the team has already started to practice and have recently completed the first online quiz challenge. From this online challenge, competing teams with scores in the top 50% of the nation will move on to the next online round. These online quizzes consist of SAT/ACT type questions as well as current event and leadership questions. After completing the online challenges, the highest scoring or “final sixteen” teams, will to go to nationals in Washington DC. This year’s team consists of three returning members as well as three new members.

Cadet Nicole Darby (sophomore)

Cadet Trey Harley (sophomore)

Cadet Logan Hood (junior)

Cadet Rachel Nowak (junior)

Cadet Erin Pennell (junior)

Cadet Amanda Tuten (sophomore)

Last year, the team made it all the way to Washington DC and took home 3rd in the nation. Hopes are high for this year’s team as they begin their journey back to Washington DC!

JROTC Gets Special Visitor

Marcus Lattimore #21 South Carolina Gamecock Freshman of the Year visits SC 932.

Balloon Launch Success

Incredible balloon designs and outstanding teamwork made for a fun-filled experience for all freshman cadets. The day started out with the best launches of the day. Cadet Brown, Her, Millwood, and Rogers team was so successful we still cannot find their balloon (as illustrated in photo). As the day progressed so did the wind--third period lost three in the trees and a few managed to catch on fire (do not worry it was safety first).

Balloon Projects Take Shape

All week the freshman prepare to take flight with the hot air balloon project. Teams of four are designing their balloons for the Fridays launch. Teams from each class will compete for air supremacy as the balloons will be timed on duration of flight time.

Model Rocketry Club Blasting Off!!

Mondays model and rocketry club meet after school to design, build and have a good time. Rockets are almost ready for the first of many launches. SMSgt Sparkman has been diligently preparing the club for a epic display of AIR FORCE air and space power!

Launch will be soon.

MSgt Nusspickel has his model club on overdrive. The club has been building some impressive models--unbelievable skill and patience from these club members!

Honors And Delta Flight Loving It At Ashlan Village!!

All semester, Honors flight and select cadets from Delta flight have spent their Wednesdays going to the Ashlan Village Assisted Living Facility spending the class period visiting with the residents. Some cadets helped run BINGO games after the residents finished their breakfast; winners were rewarded candy bars.

Other cadets went to the Alzheimer's unit to sing and dance to Karaoke. Residents just love it when the cadets just take the time to come and sit with them and talk with them. It is an enjoyable experience that is looked forward to every week by both cadets and residents of Ashlan Village.

Homecoming Week--Huge Success!

The week of Homecoming was a very busy week for SC-932. Cadets participating in our special teams performance multiple times that week. They performed a saber team for the homecoming pep rally as well as the football game against Boiling Springs that friday night.
The cadet corps participated in the homecoming parade. The parade was a lot of fun with SC-932 getting the opportunity to once again lead the parade. After all the hard work, SC-932 made homecoming a memorable event and a huge success.

View the Veterans Day Ceremony

Courtesy of David Kalk and byrnes.ihigh.com

http://bit.ly/bS4RNw

Color Guard in Full Swing

Honor Guard is going great for SC-932's Flying Aces, as they keeping getting requested for more and more events. The Color Guard have performed at all the home games for the Byrnes Rebels football team, including the ones against Hilcrest and J.L. Mann. We also have the upcoming pleasure to perform at the Army Band's performance in the F.A.C. and are expecting even more exciting things like this to come.

Back From The Windy City!

October 6th, 2010 was an ordinary day for most BHS and BFA students, but for 48 select JROTC cadets it was the first day of an experience of a lifetime. They were heading out on a CIA trip to Chicago, Illinois.

With C/Col. Asheley Cross as the troop commander for the trip, everything was always in order and heads were always counted. Also, the 13 hour drive (including time change) was the perfect opportunity for upperclassmen and lowerclassmen to meet each other and make new friendships.

During this five day trip, the instructors planned several different activities for the cadets to enjoy. These activities included a tour of Depaul University, a personal tour of the Field Museum, a view from the Skydeck, a night on Navy Pier, a graduation ceremony at the Naval Base, an elegant dinner cruise, and finally a full day at Six Flags

Sunday we finally headed home from a fun, yet exhausting trip. Luckily everyone was able to sleep on the way home and those who didn't were very considerate of the ones who were. Also, even with exhaustion present every night the rooms were still kept tidy. Also, we had no problems with people breaking curfew. This was a very succesful trip, but we expect an even better one next semester.By C/Maj. Evalynn Barbare

Spartanburg International Festival

On October 2, 2010, SC-932 had the chance for 17 cadets, divided into morning and evening shifts to assist with the annual Spartanburg International Festival. This festival is a one day event celebrating all the different countries represented in the local area. Our cadets got the opportunity to help with the morning set-up and the evening clean-up as well helping with different booths throughout the day. Our cadets got to meet all kinds of people and learn about their culture through games, food, dance, crafts, clothing, and music. We even had some students who represented other countries/nationalities in the Parade of Nations. All the cadets had a blast and really loved learning so much about all the parts of the world that were represented in the Spartanburg area.

Mulching at BHS

Our 1st Semester cadets have been working hard this semester. They have had the chance to perform two school clean-ups and school mulching at BHS already this semester. The freshman cadets had the opportunity to come and help out and work with our other cadets, and they all did a fantastic job working together and performing this school service.

On 23 September, the cadets surpassed the unit record for mulch laid in a single day. Lt. Col. Keen was very pleased and is expecting us to out do ourselves even more this coming Thursday. So come prepared to work hard.

9-11 Ceremony, A Great Success

On Friday September 10, 2010, the cadet corps commemorated the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and paid tribute to our “First Responders”. The ceremony took place at the James F. Byrnes Freshman Academy, and was lauded as one of the most successful events hosted by the cadets, dwarfing past ceremonies in attendance and presentation. Cadet Colonel Ashley Cross narrated the ceremony, presenting a phenomenal speech that captivated the audience as she took us back to that tragic day when many lost their lives. To honor our First Responders, the Color Guard led by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Case presented a half-staff Ceremony accompanied by the playing of Taps by Cadet First Lieutenant Wesley Kennedy and Cadet Staff Sergeant Bryson Lee. Immediately following, Cadet Major Evalynn Barbare and Cadet Hailey Mitchem conducted the laying of a memorial wreath in honor of the First Responders who sacrificed their lives on “9-11”. After the program, those in attendance enjoyed refreshments with the cadets, and viewed a Memorial Video produced by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Alonzo Atkins. Mr. Rogers, Byrnes High School principal was so moved by the video that he incorporated it into the football half-time show that evening. We would like to thank everyone that came out to honor the fallen as well as the everyday heroes that keep us safe from day to day.

First Football Color Guard of 2010-2011 Year

The Honor Guard presented the colors for the first Byrnes home game of the year Friday, 10 September. It was one of the Honor Guard's top performances for the year (with even more to come).

The Honor Guard consisted of:

C/Lt. Col. Alonzo Atkins (Air Force Flag)

C/1Lt. Wesely Kennedy (Commander/ American Flag)

C/2Lt. Walter Hughes (State Flag)

C/SSgt. Shannon Henderson (Right Shoulder Rifle)

C/SSgt. Caroline Horner (Left Shoulder Rifle)

Backup:

C/SSgt. AJ Crosby

New Instructor!

For those of you don't already know, we have a new instructor in SC-932. MSgt Nusspickel is the newest member of our great team of instructors we have in SC-932 and will taking over where MSgt Outram left off. Since he is new to the corp and the school, we want you to have a chance to get to know him better, so we have some cool bits of information about MSgt Nusspickel to help you learn more about him.

Family: His wife Bobby is a British Police Officer, and he has a 7 month old son named Connor.
Fav. Food: Slice of Pizza, but not just any pizza. It has to be NY pizza he says.

Hobbies: American History, reading, golf, and his wife likes for them to travel.

Fav. Music: He really likes anything from the 80's.

Beach or Mountains?: He prefers the mountains during the fall and winter,

but the beach during the spring and summer.

Fav. military experience: Being in Cuba. He enjoyed being able to help

teach natives American History and taking care of the Cubans while

helping them come to America. He also had a lot of beach time. :)

Fav. Sport: Football. GO NY GIANTS!!

Fav. T.V. Show: Big Bang Theory

Fav. Movie: The Great Escape

What he would like to see while at SC-932: He would like to see every

cadet graduate and go to college, or any career goal they want to accomplish.

What he expects from the cadets of SC-932: Wants them to always

pay attention, get good grades, and respect everybody from teachers to

fellow students. Also he wants to see all the cadets stay motivated in all

that they do, whether in JROTC or in other challenges in life.

Program Forms Due

ATTENTION ALL FIRST SEMESTER CADETS!!!

Don't forget to fill out and return all of the required forms, given to you by your instructor, as soon as possible. They are due back to your instructor by Friday, 20 August.

The following forms are due:

Health Form

E2C Form

Contact Information Form

BFA Permission Slip

Encintive Flight (Byrnes Only, No BFA)

Ashlan Village (Honors Flight Only)

Freshman Academy Starts the New Year with Color Guard

SC-932's Honor Guard was given the privilege to open up BFA's school year with a presentation of the colors at their Opening Assembly on the first day of school. This was a great way to start the year, as well as a great way to get the new cadets at BFA excited about what they're going to experience this upcoming year.

The Honor Guard consisted of:

C/CMSgt. Wesley Kennedy (American flag/Commander)

C/CMSgt. Walter Hughes (State Flag)

C/Lt. Col. Joseph Case (Rifle)

C/Lt. Col. Bruce Chumley (Rifle)

C/Maj. Alonzo Atkins (back up)

Back To School

After 3 months of vacation, August 16, 2010 students have finally returned to Byrnes High School (BHS) and Byrnes Freshman Academy (BFA). Some are entering high school for the first time and some for the last. Whether new or old, we are expecting the very best from every cadet in SC-932 for this Academic Year. SC-932 has even been worked hard BEFORE the start of school helping with registration at BHS and BFA. There have been some great things planned and expected for this year, so check in on the blog frequently to keep up with the exciting news about your fellow cadets and the corp as a whole. Good Luck Cadets!!!

Newberry Cadet Officer Leadership School Results

SC-932 James F. Byrnes High School was amongst 12 schools attending Newberry Cadet Officer Leadership School (COLS). The school was very challenging as the 146 cadets competed in 7 different categories. Of the 26 total awards presented 12 were Byrnes cadets, the following J.F. Byrnes cadets received:

Top Honors Outstanding COLS Male Cadet--Ashton Peterson
B-Flight Outstanding Cadet--Caroline Horner
D-Flight Outstanding Cadet--Erin Pennell
E-Flight Outstanding Cadet--Amber Somero
G-Flight Outstanding Cadet--Tyrell Parker
H-Flight Outstanding Cadet--Ashley Weldon
1st Place Academic Excellence--Ashton Peterson

2nd Place Academic Excellence--Erin Pennell

3rd Place Academic Excellence--Jesse Michael
3rd Place Drill Evaluation--Ashton Peterson
1st Place Personal Inspection--Georgia Wallwork
3rd Place Personal Inspection--Devon Kinnunen

C- Flight won the Outstanding Flight

Members:

Devon Kinnunen

Dylan Rochester

Georgia Wallwork

SC-932 Says Goodbye to an Amazing Instructor

It is very difficult to say goodbye to such an amazing person. The hundreds of cadets who have been mentored by MSgt Wayne Outram will forever be impacted by his tutelage. MSgt Outram has been instrumental to SC-932's success; our unit has increased enrollment 12%, Exceeded Standards in all Areas on the External Inspection, received the Distinguished Unit Award with Merit, contributed over 28,000 hours (2 years) of service to the community, and much more. The good news--he will be only up the road at NC-20063 J. Robinson High School, Concord NC.

Thank you for everything--We will miss you.