NORTH HENDERSON HIGH
Master Sgt. Doug Draper and Major Kevin Den Boer from the North Henderson High School Air Force JROTC staff are very proud to announce that the NHHS Air Force JROTC has unit been recognized as an Air Force JROTC Distinguished Unit with Merit.
The highest honor that can be bestowed upon a JROTC unit, the “Distinguished Unit with Merit” designation is given to fewer than 10 percent of units nationwide. It recognizes AFJROTC units for exceptional performance far above expectations, which the North Henderson AFJROTC cadets have displayed through outstanding service to their school and community, while developing citizenship and leadership skills.
In the 2017-18 school year, 110 AFJROTC cadets at North Henderson have completed more than 1,700 community service hours and participated in numerous leadership events, including field trips to the National Space Center, piloting Civil Air Patrol aircraft, and several field training exercises with the North Carolina National Guard.
EAST HENDERSON HIGH
Following a Unit Evaluation by the U.S. Air Force’s Headquarters Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) in mid-April, East Henderson High’s AFJROTC earned an overall “Exceeds Standards” – the highest rating attainable.
According to Col. Paul C. Lips, Air Force JROTC director, the purpose of a Unit Evaluation is to provide feedback regarding the performance of a school’s AFJROTC unit and to assess its compliance with Public Law, Department of Defense and Air Force Instructions, and the written agreement that exists between the school district and the Air Force.
In letters to East Henderson’s Lt. Col. John L. Wilkerson and Master Sgt. Michael W. Jensen, Col. Lips wrote, “It takes hard work, dedication and a passion for our cadets to ‘Exceed Standards.’ You should be proud of yourself and what your unit has accomplished. The real winners this year are your cadets. Because of your excellence they’ve been part of a great team and learned the payoff for setting high standards and working to meet them.”
Not only are East’s AFJROTC leaders proud of their cadets’ dedication to their unit, Jensen said the unit is invested in its community and its people. The unit recently sponsored a canned food drive to help supply the Interfaith Assistance Ministry food closet, collecting and donating more than 700 food items.
Upcoming AFJROTC Event
East Henderson’s AFJROTC Warrior Day field meet will be held at the high school on May 19 from 8:30 to noon, with AFJROTC units from other schools participating as East cadets manage all the events, tabulate scores, serve as judges, and more. Air Force members from the 14th Weather Squadron in Asheville and local military recruiters will assist by bringing a HUMVEE which is used in the competition, and an inflatable obstacle course for the cadets.
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