Several Patrick County High School students on Thursday said the Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program changed their lives.
Students addressed members of the Patrick County School Board on July 12 about the program that ended June 30.
Cole Weaver said he spent three years in the program, and it “had a very big impact on my life.”
Weaver said the program opened his heart, and he now is confident and able to talk to others and not be shy.
The program represents “family for future generations. They need that class more than I” do, Weaver said.
Gracie Luckado said the program taught her respect. She also learned “if you want something, you have to work for it.”
Luckado described coming out of her shell after entering the program, and added the program also has helped her sibling.
JROTC, she said, equips participants with the “the skills we need in life. If someone needs help, you help them. Our class motto was to motivate young people to become better citizens. It’s about helping people become better people,” she said.
Luckado said school officials decided to redistribute the local funds spent on the JROTC program to other programs that included athletics, a new welding class and others.
“Ya’ll care about sports, art and drama and not about JROTC,” Luckado said. “I’m afraid for the future right now because our school leaders don’t value a program that taught me to be my best,” she said.
Although now enrolled in Radford University, Angel Redd said she still recalled when she first walked into the JROTC room as a 9th grader “and instantly felt at home. We are a family. We stick together.”
Redd said “we built this program together, and now to hear it is being ripped from PCHS … the program made me who I am today.”
Redd asked the board to reconsider their decision to end JROTC because the program “saved lives. It saved my life,” she said.
Jessica Lane said she started the program in the 9th grade. Now a junior, “the more you’re in there, the more you get to be part of the family. … This program getting cut is legit tearing half of my family away from me,” Lane said. “People who have been really troubled and trouble makers have gotten into the program and are better for it. ROTC teachers actually care,” she said.
Kevin Flint said the cancellation of the program was heartbreaking to everyone in it. He said the reason for the low enrollment was because students were told in April the program would not be offered any longer, and many dropped out. “The JROTC program is near and dear to my heart.”
Hannah Newcomb said the program helped her and participants grew into a family. She was overcome with emotion and unable to continue speaking.
Kenadie Hutchens said she was active in other programs before joining JROTC, including sports. However, she said she would not talk.
“But ROTC changed me as a person. Once I got in ROTC, I realized” there was more to life than being a straight –A student.
Friends and family are important, and “no matter what, those people will be there and have your back,” Hutchens said. The class also helped her understand that no matter how difficult her own life became, she was needed in the class.
JROTC “is not just for the troubled kids. It’s for the straight-A kids who fit in but want something better,” Hutchens said. “This class was more than a grade for me.”
Ashlynn Roberts said that she did not want to sound rude, “but I want to tell you guys that your decision has messed up a lot of people’s lives.”
Roberts said she is transferring to attend a school that offers JROTC. “I’m leaving my best friends. I’m leaving my home to continue this program,” she said. “It was a horrible decision to take it away.”
Parents and others also addressed the board about the JROTC program, including Andrew Overby, Alisha Rupprecht, Shavonda Redd and Trena Anderson.
Overby, Rupprecht and Redd expressed support for the JROTC program, as did Anderson, who also commented about the upcoming welding program.
Citing figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Anderson said welders are not needed in the area. Those who complete the welding program will relocate to other areas for work, which in turn will lower the tax base in Patrick County, Anderson said.
Brandon Simmons, vice chairman of the Patrick County School Board and of the Dan River District, responded to Anderson’s comments. (Read Simmons’ Letter to the Editor on Page 4.)
In other matters, the board:
*Approved the 2018-19 school calendar. Classes begin Aug. 9. Registration is July 24.
*Approved a consent agenda that included policy updates and met in closed session to discuss employment/personnel. Following closed session, the board voted to hire Andrea Cassell as the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction; Dean Gilbert as Director of Operations, with a 12.5 supplement for adult education; Emily Easter as a Special Education teacher at Stuart Elementary School; Jessica Franklin as an art teacher at Patrick Springs Primary and Hardin Reynolds Memorial schools; Catherine McMillan as a teacher at Hardin Reynolds Memorial School. Kyle Martin and Edward Lawson also were hired to fill maintenance/custodial positions. Recently, Amy Baker was named assistant principal at Stuart Elementary School.
*Recognized Blue Ridge, Meadows of Dan and Woolwine elementary schools — the three local schools which earned the state Board of Education’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
Schools Superintendent Bill Sroufe presented certificates to school officials from Blue Ridge, Meadows of Dan and Woolwine elementary schools were recognized at a meeting of the Patrick County School Board on Thursday. The three schools were among the 202 schools and 15 school divisions in Virginia to earn the Distinguished Achievement Award.
