Hanahan High happens to have a standout JROTC program.
Because of cadets’ service to their school, community and beyond, the cadets and their instructors are being recognized by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who paid a visit to the school on March 27.
The school’s JROTC program, led by CSM (Ret) Ronaldo Jordan and LTC (R) Yolanda Ellerbee, has a very active group of student cadets who go above and beyond to be leaders at their school and make a positive difference in the entire Hanahan community.
For that, Mace presented Certificates of Recognition to the instructors and the JROTC Hawk Battalion for creating a program that “emphasizes citizenship, character and leadership development, and community service," and for exemplifying "both integrity and personal accountability," Mace told the class, along with a room full of school administrators and district officers who came to support the battalion.
Presenting the certificates came at the tail end of Mace spending some time talking to the cadets about her experience as a student at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina. In 1999, Mace became the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets program. She graduated magna cum laude a year early with a degree in business administration. More so, Mace talked to students about perseverance, determination and hard work, and allowed students to ask her questions about her time at The Citadel, as well as questions about preparing themselves for when it comes time to start applying for colleges.
Principal Tom Gallus said Hanahan High's JROTC program regularly attends town events and perform community service. The program sports a drill team, a raider team, and all of its participants demonstrate outstanding leadership at their school.
“The leadership skills that these kids learn in this class are second to none,” Gallus said.