The Spalding High School JROTC held its leaders installation ceremony Tuesday evening at the school.

Cadet Lt. Col. John Whatley was promoted to battalion commander, and Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Trent Frank was promoted to battalion command sergeant major, while other cadets were also installed in leadership positions.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a finer group as the one we have this year,” said Senior Army Instructor Lt. Col. Rod Sylvester, who is in charge of the SHS JROTC program.

Whatley made some brief remarks during the ceremony.

“We would like to meet and exceed all expectations,” he said of his goals for the 2011-2012 school year. “We must be willing to work harder, longer and smarter. I am looking forward to leading this battalion.”

Leaders who were installed include:

Battalion Staff

Cadet Lt. Col. John Whatley, battalion commander

Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Trent Frank, battalion command sergeant major

Cadet Maj. Dannesha Vaughn, executive officer

Cadet Maj. Shurita Burley, S-3

Cadet Capt. Stephen Merritt, assistant S-3

Cadet Capt. Talia Pope, S-1

Cadet Capt. Cory Anderson, S-2

Cadet Capt. Alteria Yarbrough, S-4

Cadet Capt. Sadazia Dunnington, S-5

Company Officers/Non-Commissioned Officers

Alpha Company

Cadet Capt. Scott Gagliano, company commander

Cadet 1st Sgt. Anthony Bush, first sergeant

Cadet 2nd Lt. Seth Fenley, Company XO

Cadet 1st Lt. Khalil Morrell, platoon leader

Bravo Company

Cadet Capt. Isia Ochoa, company commander

Cadet 1st Sgt. Byron Blackmon, first sergeant

Cadet 1st Lt. Alex Sturm, company XO

Charlie Company

Cadet Capt. Devonte Harden, company commander

Cadet 1st Sgt. Jordan Weems, first sergeant

Cadet 2nd Lt. Ara Evans, company XO