Whitley County High School JROTC Remembers Pearl Harbor

12/7/21

WCHS JROTC cadets supported a ceremony sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Whitley County Courthouse.  

 

Whitley County High School JROTC

12/4/21

WCHS JROTC cadets proudly represented their school and community while marching down Main Street in Corbin.  The Colonel Battalion was the largest group in the parade with 61 cadets.  Merry Christmas to all!  

 

 

Whitley Raiders Win 5 of 8 Events at Thomas Walker

11/13/21

Our JROTC Raiders turned in a dominating performance during its first competition of the year this weekend in Ewing Virginia against Corbin and Middlesboro.    Whitley placed 1st in 5 of 8 events and 2nd in 2 events.  Performances of note includes the Endurances Team's time that beat the closest competitor by over a minute and an especially strong performance by our Academic Team.  

 

 

Aaron Cox is one of the few and the proud,  a US Marine

7/16/21

Congratulations to 2021 graduate, Aaron Cox, for graduating Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Aaron had but a few hours to savor his accomplishment before starting his next phase of training, Marine Corps Combat Training.   

 

 

WCHS JROTC Thanks Donors for Marksmanship Equipment

11/17/20, Whitley County High School, Williamsburg KY 

WCHS JROTC Honor Local Veterans

11/11/20

Whitley County High School, Williamsburg KY 

We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude for the sacrifice they have made protecting our freedoms.  WCHS usually invite veterans to a breakfast and ceremony on Veterans Day.  The pandemic did not allow us to host a public ceremony this year, so WCHS posted several tributes to local veterans on social media and mailed them a letter of appreciation from students.  We love our veterans!

 

 

Justin Powell Graduates AIT

10/23/20

Congratulations to our 2020 graduate, Justin Powell, for graduating from the U.S. Army Combat Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on the 23rd of October.  Justin completed advanced individual training and is now a fully qualified Bridge Crewmember (12C) in the Kentucky National Guard.  Way to go Justin!   

 

WCHS JROTC Color Guard Back in Business

9/11/20

Cadets Ashley Bryant, JD Clark, Skyla Perkins, and Victoria Reynolds presented the U.S. Flag to kick off this year's football season.  The team looked sharp even a six month break from practice and competitions.

He's a Paratrooper!

9/11/20

2020 graduate, Devon Mahan, is officially an Army paratrooper after completing Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA.  He completed his fifth training jump on Friday, September 11th.  Devon is off the Fort Bragg, NC to serve with the 82nd Airborne Division.  

 

Mahan Becomes Army Cav Scout; Reports to Airborne School

8/21/20

2020 graduate, Devon Mahan, just completed basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga to become a U.S. Army Calvary Scout.  The day after graduating AIT, Devon moved across Fort Benning and reported in to the U.S. Army Airborne School where he will complete three weeks of airborne training to become a paratrooper.  Devon is scheduled to report to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC after he earns his airborne wings.  We're very proud of Devon!   

 

WCHS JROTC Extends Season Lead in Final Event

3/17/20

The Colonels entered its Archery and Marksmanship competition last week as the top overall raider team in the Pine Mountain League.  The league consists of seven JROTC programs in Kentucky.  The Colonels turned in another strong performance and ends the season with a dominating first place lead.    

Last year the Colonel Battalion did not have an archery or marksmanship team.  This year Archery finished 2^nd and Marksmanship finished 3^rd in Pine Mountain League competition.  Our archery team was led by senior Mark Gregory who had the team’s high score during competition closely followed by JD Clark.  The entire roster from top to bottom was very consistent.  The Colonels worked extremely hard this year and created a great foundation for next year.  We have a lot of young shooters so the future looks bright.  

The marksmanship team pulled it together with lots of help from WCHS JROTC alum and former national shooting competitor Mr. Daniel Housman.  Team captain Cadet Raven Mayfield’s experience was invaluable to the team.  She transferred to Whitley this year from a school with an excellent marksmanship program.  She provided great insight and coaching to our team.  The team used rifles borrowed from another school and used the school’s greenhouse as a range until plant production made it impossible.  The battalion is very thankful for Mr. Brian Prewitt and Mr. Glen Croley for allowing our team to use the greenhouse (Colonel PRIDE)!  Freshman Austin Pennington led the team with a high score of 186.  Much like the archery team, the marksmanship team is well positioned in terms of talent next year.

Whitley County JROTC Cadets Assist Alum in Community Service

Whitley County Fair Grounds, 3/7//20

Whitley County JROTC Cadets volunteered their Saturday to assist Mr. Kevin Anderson and Daniel Housman in building a community archery range at the Whitley County Fair Grounds.  It was a great opportunity for our students to meet and work with Mr. Anderson and Mr. Housman who were the Colonel Battalion’s commander and executive officer many years ago. 

Mr. Housman briefed cadets on the mission of the day.

Cadets removed garbage from the range.

Cadets help clear firing lanes of brush.

 

Colonel Battalion Qualifies to Compete in Every Event at League Super Bowl

Somerset, Kentucky 2/22/20

Bright and early around 6:30 A.M. 37 Whitley County JROTC Cadets traveled to Southwestern Pulaski County High School to compete in a competition. This was our last regular league competition for this year until the super bowl for raiders. We competed in seven events: drill, one-rope-bridge,endurance, academics, tug male, female tug, color guard,and field obstacle course.  We placed in all events with one third place, three second place finishes, and four first place finishes. We won first place in the overall competition and will compete in the the Pine Mountain League Super Bowl in all events. We want to give a big shout out to our male and female tug team. They have been undefeated all year long and have improved significantly over the past year and are still getting stronger.

Colonel Battalion Places in Every Raider Event

WCHS JROTC's hard work paid off at Corbin's Raider Competition with four first place, three second place, and one third place finish.  WCHS placed in every event in which five schools competed.  Great job Colonels!  

Whitley County Cadets Escort Homecoming Queens

Fifteen WCHS JROTC Cadets put on their finest uniforms to escort the high school's basketball homecoming court.  

WCHS Get New PT Uniforms!

JROTC Students at Whitley County High School are sporting new physical training uniforms thanks to the quick work by MSG(R) Gross.  

 

Colten Bargo - All State!

Congratulations to DE #55 Colten Bargo:  Kentucky Class 5A sack leader, 13th Region Defensive Player of the Year, and Courier-Journal All-State team Honorable Mention.  

 

JROTC in the Christmas spirit

December 14, 2019, Williamsburg, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC helped Williamsburg get in the Christmas spirit Saturday.  The Colonels added a rifle team and a drummer this year both of which did an excellent job.

 

 

 

Marching Through Corbin

December 7, 2019, Main Street, Corbin

Whitley County High School JROTC proudly carry the colors during Corbin's 2019 Christmas Parade.  The Colonels will mark in Williamsburg's Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14th.  

Honoring Our Vets

November 11, 2019, Whitley County High School

Whitley County High School and Middle School joined together to honor our county's veterans.  Thank you veterans for fighting for our privilege of gathering in peace and security.  We were especially blessed to have Sergeant Hubert Siler in attendance.  Mr. Siler served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  Sergeant Siler at 101 years old impressed many with his vivid description of his experiences.    

Mr. Andrew Fuson delivered an inspiring and touching speech.

 

Playoff Time at Whitley

November 8, 2019, 350 Boulevard of Champions, Williamsburg, KY

WCHS JROTC color guard presents the colors before Whitley's game with North Laurel High School.  The Colonels won the game and will move on to round two of the playoffs.

 

Cadets Clean Up Whitley County

November 5, 2019, Little Spruce Creek Road

Sixteen WCHS JROTC cadets spent their day off from school picking up garbage along our county's back roads.  Students had fun while serving our community as part of the Eastern Kentucky PRIDE program.

 

Another Strong Performance in Virginia

November 2, 2019, Ewing, VA

Forty Colonel Battalion raiders traveled to Ewing, Virginia and turned in another strong performance.  The Colonels are currently in first place in the Pine Mountain League.  The Colonels will need to continue to trained hard to maintain their top ranking.    

1st Place:  One Rope Bridge, Female Tug, & Male Tug

2nd Place:  Drill & Fitness 

 

Four of Eight First Place Finishes at Harlan Raiders

October 19, 2019, Harlan, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC Raider Team turned in a great performance this weekend as they work toward the Pine Mountain League (PML) Super Bowl in April.  The PML includes Whitley, Corbin, Harlan, Middlesboro, Knox Central, Thomas Walker, and Southwestern Pulaski.  

1st Place:  One Rope Bridge, Academics, Female Tug, & Male Tug

2nd Place:  Drill & Color Guard

3rd Place:  Fitness 

Cadet Naythan Jewell pulls Cadet Ashley Bryant to dry land during the One Rope Bridge competition at Harlan County High School.  

Whitley County JROTC Raiders march between events at Harlan's Raider Competition.

 

Archery Has Arrived

October 14, 2019, Williamsburg, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC Raiders kicked off its archery season with help of Mr. Huddleston, teacher and Impact Archery coach.  Mr. Huddleston donated his afternoon and expertise to help develop cadets’ initial shooting stance and technique.

 

 

 

Honoring a Whitley County Hero

October 5, 2019, Corbin, KY

 

Forty WCHS JROTC cadets spent their Saturday honoring Ulis Steely.  Machinist Mate First Class Steely was killed in action at Pearl Harbor on December 7^th, 1942.  Today the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Whitley County, and his family welcomed him home.  WCHS cadets salute as the funeral procession passes from Grace on the Hill Church to Corinth Cemetery

Cadets Learn to Run Major Events

September 28, 2019, Whitley County High School, KY

 

Six schools in the Pine Mountain league came across Kentucky to Whitley County September 28th 2019. They competed in seven events: tug-of-war, secret event,endurance, drill, color guard, one rope bridge, and academics. We had 30 WCHS cadets on campus bright and early Saturday morning to run and support the operation. This was a student run operation. Cadet Battalion Executive Officer and high school junior, Skyla Perkins said “ Our competition taught me that working as a team can achieve great things. I’m really proud of our Battalion and the others involved.” This was her first year running our home comp. This year our BNXO ran the comp rather than our Battalion Commanding Officer, and high school senior, Naythan Jewell this year he set back to let another cadet get more experience. “Running an event as large as we do can teach a lot of people some real life skills they will need. As Battalion Commander it’s my job to enforce our motto of J.R.O.T.C, To motivate young people to become better citizens.” By having the competition it teaches our other cadets how to run an organization successfully. Our NCOIC that ran color guard C/CSM Zach Lawson said” I love hosting theses competitions because it is a great opportunity to identify future leaders and welcome the freshmen cadets to the program. As well as keeping them involved with the organizations planning process’’.  Over all our competition was a successful operation and we can not wait till next year to host another successful operation.

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A Strong Tradition

September 27, 2019, Whitley County High School, KY

 

WCHS JROTC cadets continue an important tradition of presenting the United States and Kentucky flags before each home football game.  Whitley fans have a strong reputation of patriotism.  

 

A Queen is Crowned

September 27, 2019, WCHS, KY

 

Cadet LTC Naythan Jewell escorts our 2019 Football Homecoming Queen.  

 

Raiders Off To A Strong Start

September 14, 2019, Middlesboro, KY

WCHS started the 2019-2020 Raider season well placing in every event of the season’s first Raider competition establishing them as the team to beat.  WCHS is part of the Pine Mountain League which consists of six schools.  Schools compete against each other during six competitions from September through February.  The League will host a Super Bowl in March where the top three teams in each event will compete for the championship. 

1st Place: 

  One Rope Bridge

  Endurance Team

  Tug (Female)

2nd Place:

  Drill

  Academics (Tied)

3rd Place:

  Color Guard

  Tug (Male)

  Secret Event (Marksmanship)

 

 

Great Performance at Camp!

June 7, 2019, Camp Davy Crockett, TN

Fifteen WCHS cadets completed a week of training and team building at Lake Cherokee, TN during the first week of June.  A great week of training was capped with a first place finish among the camp's fourteen schools drill competition.  Way to go Colonels!

Honoring The Fallen

May 27, 2019, Williamsburg, KY

WCHS cadets demonstrated their respect and appreciation for those who have fallen in the defense of our freedom.  WCHS students spent their Memorial Day weekend conducting services across our community.

 

1st Platoon Wins Platoon of the Year

May 20, 2019, Williamsburg, KY

All six of Whitley County High School JROTC's platoons competed against each other during the Battalion Picnic Monday.  After a tough competition of drill, archery, cadence calling and obstacle course, 1st landed on top.  Congratulations to the cadets of 1st Platoon!

 

 

Cadet Perkins Wins Cadet of the Year

April 27, 2019 350 Blvd. of Champions, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC sophomore Cadet Skyla Perkins wins Cadet of Year for WCHS.  Cadet Perkins is the Battalion's Operations Officer, a member of the Color Guard, Raider Team and the schools Academic Team.  She also previously won the Battalion's Cadet of the Trimester.   

 

 

WCHS JROTC Recognized For Greatest Volunteer Participation

April 27, 2019 Cumberland Falls State Park, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC was recognized as the group with the most members participating in the PRIDE Cumberland Falls Clean Up for the third year in a row.  WCHS cadets demonstrated their continual commitment to community service and love for their state park.  

 

WCHS Wins KYNG Mountain Raider Challenge

March 23, 2019 Artemus, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC fielded the youngest team in Kentucky National Guard's Mountain Raider Challenge.  That team not only competed well with three freshmen earning the coveted Mountain Raider Tab, but also won first place in the overall competition.  This is the most physically demanding competition of the Raider season.  Cadets started the day with a two-mile race, ended the day with a two-mile speed walk while carrying a load, and completed a series of physical and mental challenges during the middle of the day.  The Pioneer cadets demonstrated true Colonel PRIDE "Determination." 

Pioneer Battalion Top Promotions

January 25, 2019 Williamsburg, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC cadets Naythan Jewell and Mary Earls earned promotions to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and Major.  Congratulations to both cadets.  We have great confidence in their abilities to lead the Pioneer Battalion to the next level.    

Cadets Escort WCHS Basketball Homecoming Candidates

January 17, 2019 Williamsburg, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC cadets were honored to escort the basketball homecoming candidates Thursday night.  Congratulations to all of the candidates and cadets for representing our school so well.  

Williamsburg Chirstmas Parade_____________________________________

December 8, 2018 Williamsburg, KY

Whitley County High School JROTC demonstrated their Christmas spirit Saturday during the 2018 Williamsburg Christmas Parade.  The cadets were especially festive this year as they sang cadence while marching down Main Street. 

Picture by Mark White

Mayor Harrison joins the color guard for a quick picture.

 

 

Learning to Serve                                                                                            

Williamsburg, KY, December 8, 2018

Whitley County High School cadets learned the meaning of service as they visited the residents of a local nursing home.  The cadets were well received and spread holiday cheer throughout the home.    

Remembering Pearl Harbor

The Time Tribune News Story

 

Honoring a WWII Veteran

WYMT News Story

Whitley Wins in Virginia                                                                                              

Ewing, Virginia, November 3, 2018

Whitley’s JROTC Raider Team turned in their best performance of the year winning the Thomas Walker, Virginia Raider Competition.  Whitley won first place in three of the five events:  Academics, Color Guard, and Obstacle Course.  Additionally, the Whitley Raiders place second in Tug of War.  Great job Raiders! 

Soggy Day with a Bright Finish                                                                                                      

Harlan County High School, October 27, 2018

It was a chilly, wet, and gray morning, but the cadet’s spirits were high as they competed, against seven other schools, along the banks of the Cumberland River in Harlan County.  The weather did not improve, but you would have thought it was a sunny day by the look on the faces of Whitley cadets as they celebrated two first place wins. 

 

Learning to Lead                                                                                                                         

Whitley County High School, October 13, 2018

 

Nearly 250 students from ten high schools converged on Whitley County High School’s campus Saturday to compete in a daylong competition.  What may have been more valuable than the trophies awarded to the winners was the experience students gained planning and running the event.  “I really learned a lot from this; our cadre really put the ball in our court to plan and run the event.  I felt like a CEO,” laughed Gary Moul a senior at Whitley County. 

 

“We provide students left and right limits.  We give them tools but hold them responsible for doing the work; this way, they learn what it takes to succeed.   We tell them the event will succeed or fail based on what they do,” explained Colonel (Retired) Steve Sears who along with Master Sergeant (Retired) Donald Gross runs Whitley’s JROTC program.  

 

Whitley County has over 120 students in their JROTC program.  Thirty students volunteered weeks ago to plan and run the competition.   Cadets were in charge of each of the eight events; a cadet served as a guide for each of the ten participating teams, several cadets were responsible for logistics, and a handful of cadets served in a command post to track scores, manage rotations, and serve a clearing house for problems encountered during the day.

 

“How many 16-year-olds get the opportunity to take charge of an event like this?  From providing drinking water to briefing the event rules to organizing the awards ceremony, we had to figure it out and solve problems.  We had to make sure everyone knew the plan, prepared, and delivered,” stated Naythan Jewell a member of Whitley’s JROTC. 

 

At the end of a long day, trophies were awarded to schools placing in each event, but the thirty cadets running the event took away an authentic experience in problem-solving and in leadership.

Cadet/Major Jewell stayed busy keeping the event on track.