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JROTC Cadets Mix At Summer Camp

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 9, 2008

LAKE WALES - LAKE WALES - Twenty cadets from the Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Brandon High School joined more than 200 cadets, 26 Army instructors and nine parent chaperones from 13 Hillsborough, Pinellas and Osceola county schools at the second annual JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge Summer Camp June 10 through 14.

The camp was held at the Boy Scouts of America's Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation in Lake Wales.

The camp, nicknamed "Fort Flaming Arrow" by the cadets, was hosted by JROTC instructors from Alonso, Armwood, Brandon, East Bay, Hillsborough, Newsome and Plant City high schools. Col. Dave Scarchilli, director of Army instruction for Hillsborough County, served as camp commander.

For many of the cadets, living in a tent for five days was a new experience. In a military-like environment, they participated in adventure training activities, including rappelling, water survival, canoeing, rifle safety, marksmanship, archery, leadership training and sporting, land navigation and land survival training.

A few cadets, including Brandon High School's Patrick Henderson, son of Tampa Tribune writer Joe Henderson, "accompanied the cadets and functioned as part of the staff," said Lt. Col. Guy Walsh, senior Army instructor from Brandon High School and camp personnel officer. "Patrick Henderson received recognition for his assistance during the administration of the camp."

"Being a member of this year's staff was rough at times," Henderson said, "but in the end, it was well worth it. I didn't know that there was so much planning and day-to-day coordination that goes into running a summer camp. I went to camp last year as one of the cadets, so this year was a whole different type of experience for me."

Other Brandon cadets in attendance were Miguel Rivera-Ramos, Amber Sherman, Kayla Morton, Lauren Snodgrass, Kaitlynn Kenna, Andre Chirco, Tina Niemeyer, James Banda, Scott Jones, Osirus Nicholson, Matt Stephenson, Luke Logsdon, Edgar Uribe, Jimmy Fox, Trebora Robinson, Dean Everton, Jayme Green, Sean Brosnan, Eric Boynton and Nabihah Wasim.

Wasim said, "There were a lot of great activities, and I liked how there were a lot of opportunities for people to use their leadership skills."

Robert Rawls from Plant City High School was the distinguished honor graduate and served as the closing ceremony's commander of troops. Serving with him during the ceremony were honor graduates Megan Newman of Armwood High School, Rivera-Ramos, Cedric Street from Hillsborough High School and Michael Price from Lyman High School in Longwood.

At a closing ceremony, other distinguished cadets were recognized. Cody Kornegay of Armwood was the distinguished shooter. Platoon leader Newman earned the best-drilled platoon award.

Morton and Logsdon earned awards for marksmanship; Green was honored for rappelling; Uribe was recognized for finishing in the top 10 percent of participants in the camp. The overall best company award went to Delta Company.

Rivera-Ramos, who was selected the Alpha Company camp honor graduate, said, "It was really cool meeting different cadets from different schools and performing in different leadership positions - it was awesome!"

"During the closing ceremony, the cadets also celebrated Army's 233rd birthday," Walsh said. "Following Army tradition and custom, the youngest cadet, Cadet Lori Sycz from Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, and the oldest Army instructor present, Master Sgt. Gilbert Rivera from Armwood High School, had the honor of cutting the cake. All the cadets celebrated before being dismissed to board the buses back home."

JROTC programs teach male and female high school students throughout the country citizenship skills and develop character traits such as respect, loyalty, duty, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

Stagedoor's 'Oklahoma!' Sets Showtimes

BRANDON - Stagedoor Performing Arts will present Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "Oklahoma!" at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. July 17-19 at Limona Village Chapel Fellowship Hall, 408 Limona Rd., Brandon. The show features such well-known songs as "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!" and "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top."

After the performance July 13, the public is invited to a free picnic.

Show tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and free for children 5 and younger. Stagedoor members are eligible for a $2 discount on any ticket. Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more.

For tickets, visit The Osprey Observer at 900 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Brandon, or Otto's Doors at 8503 Adamo Drive, Tampa, or go to www.ticketleap.com.

Stagedoor Performing Arts soon will hold auditions for upcoming shows.

Auditions for Rick Lewis' off-Broadway show, "The Taffetas," about four sisters from Muncie, Ind., making their musical debut in the 1950s, will be held at 7 p.m. July 23 and 24 in the Limona Village Chapel Fellowship Hall. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4, with matinees at 3 p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 in the church's Fellowship Hall. For details, e-mail Jonathan Douglas at showtoogo@aol.com.

Auditions for "Into the Woods" will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9, also in the chapel's Fellowship Hall. Shows will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. E-mail Domin Pazo at domin3418@hotmail .com.

For a chance to direct a show, submit your name and the name of the show by Aug. 8 to Wayne Otto at idirectsom @yahoo.com.

The July meeting for Stagedoor Performing Arts members has been canceled. The next will be Aug. 10.

Prosperity 101: Spiritual Economics

BRANDON - Unity in Brandon, 115 Margaret St., Brandon, invites the public to a seminar called "Prosperity 101: What Exactly Is It?" taught by Deri Joy Ronis, minister at Unity in Brandon, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The seminar is based on Eric Butterworth's book "Spiritual Economics: The Principles and Process of True Prosperity" and his teachings. A general explanation will be offered about New Thought, a metaphysical movement that began in the late 1800s, and how it relates to prosperity in all areas of one's life. There also will be time for questions and answers.

A love offering of $20 is suggested. For information or to reserve space, call (813) 263-6155 or visit www.unityin brandon.org.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay .rr.com or call (813) 657-4531

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