Leadership Camp Inspires Warsaw Army JROTC CadetsEDINBURGH – For 20 summers, cadets from the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps classes across the state have met at Camp Atterbury near Edinburgh to participate in a week of adventure and leadership skills training.
Approximately 250 cadets from about 20 high schools from Indiana and Ohio converged on Camp Atterbury June 18–23.
Six JROTC students were selected by their instructors, CSM Jon Mitchell and Maj. Friedrich Josellis, because of their academics and Cadet activity.
“I’m so proud of this year’s group of cadets. I heard how well all of my cadets worked and led at this leadership camp. This is reflected in the honors that our cadets received,” he said.
Cadet Kyle Miller went to this course for the first time, garnered a top 10 finish within his company.
Cadet Katherine Josellis went to the course her second time and also received a top 10 finish as well. She also got “coined” by her first sergeant because she completed 11 rappels (free-falling and down a wall), which was the most in her company.
Cadet Grayson Drudge, who also returned for a second time, received elite honors. He was selected the top cadet in his company. He was coined as well, for his many endeavors one of which was being the team captain of his company’s volleyball team that went undefeated.
Cadet Kyle Miller stated that this leadership course inspired him to pursue his goal of joining the United States Marine Corps. “I enjoyed the experience and it was motivating to go on and the real deal,”?he said.
Cadet Grayson Drudge was nostalgic as he thought about his experiences. “This was my final JROTC leadership camp,” he said. “This leadership camp and JROTC at WCHS have provided me with more leadership opportunities than anything else I have done my entire school career. I can’t say enough how thankful I am to have been involved with JROTC.”
Josellis and Mitchell led Marion’s JROTC program, and they expect about 100 students to participate in JROTC during this school year. Between them, they have close to 55 years of military service.
Josellis said they are always interested in teaching cadets from all walks of life.
“Some of them have supportive backgrounds and some of them have tough backgrounds. We don’t care,” said David Farlow, Marion High School JROTC instructor. “They’re our cadets and our country’s future. We affectionately kick them in the butt when they need that and we’ll give them a hug them when they need that, too. Our whole mission is to get these kids to be successful and show them how to do it.”
There is no military obligation to join WCHS’ Army JROTC and students interested in joining the Warsaw Army JROTC. They can obtain additional information about joining the school’s Army JROTC program by contacting WCHS counselors or Josellis at 574-371-5099, ext. 2163.
