Cadets win big at Leadership School

Cadets from Sandy Creek High’s Air Force JROTC (AFJROTC) program attended the Converse College Cadet Leadership School in Spartanburg, winning a total of 11 top awards, with one cadet walking away with the highest award of all.

Austin Culpepper, who was chosen to be the Commander of the entire school, earned the highest award given at the camp, the Commander’s Award, for his stellar performance.

The other cadets earning awards include RuthAnne Degrange, Military Excellence Award and Top Advanced School Cadet Award; Bradley Gibson, Outstanding Staff Officer Award; Evan Tapp, Outstanding Squadron Commander Award; Ethan Perez, Honor Graduate; Brian Alfaro, Outstanding Squadron Commander Award; Katlynn Gossett, Top Female Graduate Award and Honor Graduate; Mayra Guerra, Honor Graduate; and Johnathan Hausser, Honor Graduate.

A total of 330 cadets from Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, representing the best of their AFJROTC programs, attended the 2016 camp. Their daily schedule was a challenging one that started at 5:30 a.m. with physical training and ended at 10:30 p.m. Cadets participated in activities that emphasized teamwork, self-discipline, leadership, and respect for authority.

A formal military parade and awards ceremony, highlighting the accomplishments of the cadets, closed out the week.

Pictured, from left, are RuthAnne Degrange, Bradley Gibson, Evan Tapp, Ethan Perez, Austin Culpepper, Brian Alfaro, Katlynn Gossett, Mayra Guerra and Johnathan Hausser.