2014_11_Newsletter

Self-Discipline
Citizenship
November 2014
Leadership
Volume 1, Issue 3
Patriotism
The latest news from
Grissom
JROTC Program
www.grissomjrotc.com
Upcoming Events:
Picture Day
11/19
Thanksgiving
11/24-28
Christmas
12/19-1/2
Booster Club Mtg
Military Ball
1/8
1/24
Self-Discipline
Citizenship
Leadership
Patriotism
Dedication
Responsibility
Teamwork
Battalion News
Message From the Cadre
“First to fight for the right and to build the Nation’s might”… an
excerpt from “The Army Song” - these words and many more just as proud
easily flow through my mind when I see your young men and women
participating in the many venues throughout this past month.
The Military Skills Teams (Male Team 1 and the Coed Team)
performed superbly and made not only themselves but Grissom High School
proud as they gallantly competed against the best Military Skills Teams from
across the Nation at the Raider Nationals Competition. Although, the
outcome was not all that the cadets wanted it to be the First Sergeant and I
could not be more proud of ALL the hard work they have done in preparing
for and competing. They most definitely did not leave anything on the table
as they fought with mind, body, and sole the entire day. Team One finished
eleventh out of forty-four teams and the Coed Team finished nineth out of
twenty-five teams.
The Cadets represented themselves in fine fashion as they
performed the Color Guard and student mentors during the Whitesburg
Middle School Veteran’s Day Program attended by General Dennis Via,
Commander of the Army Materiel Command (Redstone Arsenal) and
Superintendent Wardynski. During the Grissom High School Veteran’s Day
Program the Color Guard again proudly posted and retrieved the Colors to
open and close the formal program.
Additionally, the Battalion Commander, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel
Jackson Campbell recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Battalion
Command Sergeant’s Major Cadet Jake Myers read the history of the
National Anthem before the entire Grissom High School Student body and
the forty plus Veteran guests of honor accompanied by their Grissom High
School student escorts.
We marched 140 strong during the Huntsville Veteran’s Day Parade.
First Sergeant Vanzandt’s wife, Ruth, mentioned to him that our cadets
looked like an Active-Duty unit while marching. This is a considerable
compliment coming from the wife of a Soldier of 20 years and Drill Sergeant.
All in all, a fantastic month chalked full of events and competitions
that allowed the “Tiger” Battalion cadets to shine and display why they truly
are the best.
Battalion News
Page 2 of 6
Message From the Cadre (cont.)
We finally received - it was worth waiting for –the Life Touch SY 2013-2014 JROTC Composite Picture.
Principle Kalange had requested a while back, that she was saving a place in front office for such. Whenever, you
come by the school make sure to give it a look.
Next up on the docket is JROTC Picture day – Wednesday 19 November starting at 7:45 Am with the
Battalion, Company and Team photos done in the Main Gym followed by the individual pictures taken
throughout the day. Please note that the Life Touch order form packets were handed out a couple of weeks ago
– so please look for and ask your cadet about such.
-- LTC (Retired) Ivan Evans
Veterans’ Day Parade
Battalion News
Page 3 of 6
** Important **
** Important **
** Important **
Wounded Warrior 5K Fundraiser Update
Things are starting to come together for race day…21 February 2015!!!
Sponsorship/Marketing Packets are in and available to everyone to hand out to anyone who might be a
potential sponsor. Already we have two new sponsors this year: Redstone Federal Credit Union, and Alabama Southern
Sports, otherwise known as The Alabama Hammers. Some of our previous years’ sponsors have come through for us
again this year and we have already received some of their sponsorship checks. Getting sponsors relies on parents and
cadets getting the packets in the hands of businesses that they frequent. It is critical that you make every effort to get
these packets out and into the hands of potential sponsors. You don’t have to do anything because the packet speaks
for itself. This is our biggest fundraiser, and we need your help to make it successful. The more sponsors we get, the
more we can give to The Wounded Warrior Project, and the more we get to keep too support the Grissom JROTC
Program
Online signup through IMAthlete is active and we already have a few people signed up. We will have race pins
again this year, and we have two options for our senior cadets to select from for our final design. Vets with Vettes and
the Patriot Guard Riders have both committed for another year with us. Things are really starting to gel. Lindy will be in
the classroom with all the cadets starting the week of November 17. They will learn all about the race, including the
committees they will be working with, the Cadet Pledge Campaign, and the WWP Student Ambassador Initiative.
** We need your help!!! ** The WW5K requires a huge amount of support, both from the cadets and the
parents. Several parents have signed up to help, either as Committee Chairs, or as committee members, but there are
still some critical vacancies, especially for Committee Chairs. Lindy still needs parent Committee Chairs for the following
committees: Team Competition, Music, Photography, and Awards.
Most all of the committees have Senior Cadets and team of underclassmen assigned to them. The cadets will do
a good portion of the work but we require an adult as chair and overseer of the different areas. In fact, the main intent
is for the cadets to take the lead, develop the plans, and the parents to take on the support roles. Not all committees
can function this way, but if possible, that is what we want. This is their project, after all. Anyone that is willing to help
as a committee chair or just help out in some capacity on race day, we definitely need your help!
Check out these links for the online sign-up and a description of each of the committees. Expect to hear
something soon regarding an introductory committee meeting.
WW5K Committees and Responsibilities
WW5K Committee and Helper Signup
Lindy Stuart: email - ww5k@grissomjrotc.com or call - 256.457.5067
Grissom JROTC WW5K website: http://grissomjrotcwoundedwarrior5k.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrissomJROTCWoundedWarrior5K
Battalion News
Page 4 of 6
MST at JROTC Raider Nationals
Team 1 and the Mixed Team competed at the Raider National Competition November 7-9 in
Molena, Georgia. Team 1 placed 11th out of 44 teams and Mixed was 9th out of 25 teams. The teams did
an excellent job representing GHS.
A big thank you goes out to all those that came to support the team during the competition that
included almost 40 parents, siblings and friends!
The final results of the completion can be found at:
http://www.thenationals.net/raider-results.htm
Page 5 of 6
Battalion News
Booster Club Notes
“Spirit Night” coming! We are currently in the works of setting up a “spirit night” fundraiser for the
JROTC program. More information will be coming soon. Also, we have several other businesses that have
offered an incentive program where purchasing and using their products will result in donations for the
program.
Our next Booster Club meeting will be January 8th at 7:00 in the GHS A/V Room. The main focus of the
meeting will be a summary on all the things the cadets have done and will be doing in 2015. Also, there will
be a lot of emphasis on the WW5K planning and preparations. But please note, that a lot of work has to be
completed from now until that meeting in regards to the race. Please, refer to the “Wounded Warrior 5K
Race Update” section to see where you can help!
Mary Kay Fundraiser for JROTC Program
Lori Munson, a cadet parent, has provided us a great fundraiser opportunity. The offer is that anyone
wanting any Mary Kay products can purchase them through Lori and all profits will be given to the Grissom
JROTC program!!! There is no catch. If you order with Lori, mention you are part of Grissom JROTC and she
will make sure we get credit for your purchase. Also, Lori will cover the shipping costs and delivery fees!
Anyone interested in purchasing Mary Kay products for Grissom’s JROTC program may visit Lori’s
website, email her or call.
Lori Munson - Mary Kay
www.marykay.com/lorimunson
loriannmunson@gmail.com
601-397-8947
MST Competes in Boxwell Raider Competition
The Grissom High School Raider teams competed at the Boxwell Raider Competition on October 24-26 in
Tennessee. We sent three teams, two all-male teams (“Team 1” and “Team 2”) and our “Mixed Team”. Team 1
finished second in the male division and the Mixed Team finished first in the mixed division. This competition
was the final tune up prior to the National Competition in November.
Battalion News
Page 6 of 6
2014-15 Calendar of Events
November
24-28 Thanksgiving Holidays
December
19-31 Christmas Holidays
January
1-2
8
19
24
New Year’s Holidays
Booster Club Meeting
MLK Holiday
Military Ball
February
8
21
Booster Club Meeting
Wounded Warrior 5K
(See full calendar of events on our website)
Next Booster Meeting
Grissom
JROTC
7901 Bailey Cove Rd
Huntsville, Alabama 35802
PHONE:
(256) 428-8009
E-MAIL:
Ivan.Evans@hsv-k12.org
Lynn.Vanzandt@hsv-k12.org
Jan 8, 2015 @ 7:00pm in GHS A/V Room
Recap of the last few months of 2014 and Lindy will have a lot of good
info on WW5K and information on areas where you can help. Please, be sure to
attend as WW5K requires everyone’s support.
Info For Newsletters
If you have any thoughts, ideas, or information for us to include in
upcoming newsletters please send the information to:
About Our Organization…
sectetary@grissomjrotc.com
2014-15 JROTC Board
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
www.grissomjrotc.com
President:
Vice President:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Christine Wozney
Karen Dixon
Eileen Bogardus
Scott Bogardus
Members-At-Large
Erik Larson, Chrisi Hagan, Lindy Stuart (WW5K),
Marquita Reed, Joe Paull