By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
It has been a year of transition, new experiences and new leadership for the Stanhope Elmore High School JROTC program.
Longtime leaders Colonel Bonasera and 1SG James Chambers retired from their positions last school year. Taking their place were Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Kindley and Sgt. Major Nathaniel Bartee.
The new leaders are continuing a long tradition of excellence with the program, and this year began what they hope to be another great tradition.
Under the direction of SFC Kindley, a new Raider Team of cadets has been formed. The team took part in their first competition in Georgia in September which led them to nationals at Fort Knox, Kentucky Oct. 24-27 with 14 members, ten of which competed at any time in each of the six events.
They were among over 150 teams from the United States, Germany, Italy and Guam who took part in the National Raider Competition. According to SFC Kindley, it is the equivalent of a hybrid fitness team on steroids, he said with a laugh.
Even in their first year, the team was able to compete well and bring home awards and earn arcs.
“They represented us extremely well and we are so proud of the team members and leaders,” Principal Ewell Fuller said.
When the team returned home, members were recognized with the Rappelling Arc, Raider Team Arc, Raider team cord and the Raider National Ribbon.
The team finished 13th in the nation out of 152 teams on the Rope Bridge event. They finished 36th overall in the nation.
This was an amazing showing for their first competition, and has only increased the excitement among the cadets, who are already preparing for competitions to come.
The EAN was able to speak to some of the Raider team members including Lyric Robinson, who is the C/1SG for Headquarters Command, and the Physical Fitness team Commander. Manny Peralta is a C/1LT; Raider Commander is Taven Cox, C/CPT and also the HQ Company Commander.
Their excitement in talking about the various parts of the competitions was obvious. All agreed that being a part of the new Raider team has given them accelerated goals and an ambition to become better.
SFC Kindley said thousands of photos of the team in competitions were taken by Jennifer Gonzales, an English teacher at SEHS. She went along as a chaperone but was integral in keeping spirits high, he said. Upon their return, Gonzales was recognized for her efforts by the Raider Team.
With a new competition beginning in March of next year, it will mean the senior members of this team will have graduated. But their enthusiasm will continue among new members who will be brought on board for the new school year.
The photos below are predominantly from SEHS teacher Jennifer Gonzales. We appreciate the use of them for this article.
