to hold commissioning this week

The time is coming for some Griffin-Spalding students to earn their next rank.

The Griffin High School JROTC holds its annual officer commissioning Thursday at 6 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. Ten seniors will then be named officer, the highest rank within the JROTC, according to Griffin High’s JROTC Instructor Lt. Col. Nicholas Burke.

Out of the 10, Keith Fontenot has been selected as battalion commander for the entire unit, and Sarah Negris will serve as executive officer, the second in command. Burke said that both of them have been accepted to the North Georgia Military College.

During the ceremony Thursday, State Sen. John Douglas will be the guest of honor and read the office of oath to the students. A parent or someone of choice will pin the rank to their uniforms.

All officers will serve the entire school year. “We monitor kids through their four years,” said Burke, who, along with the other Griffin High JROTC instructors, selected the new officers. He said that they were the best students in their battalion, and he is “proud of them, without a doubt.”

Not only are they supposed “to lead our battalion to do wonderful things,” but they are also expected to represent the program well in the community. He said this is an excellent leadership opportunity, supervised only by Burke and his fellow instructors.

Only a week later, the Spalding High School JROTC will have its officer commissioning. On Thursday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. in the schools Commons area, 12 senior students will be awarded officer, will Taylor Dix leading the group as Cadet Battalion Commander. Here, parents will also pin the ranks to students.

“I’m very proud of these individuals,” said Spalding High Senior Army Instructor Lt. Col. Rod Sylvester. “I expect them to be leaders both in the JROTC and other classes as well as in the community.”