Colony High School
Cyd Duffin, Principal
9550 Colony Schools Drive
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Phone:(907) 861-5510
Fax: (907) 861-5572
JROTC MONTHLY MESSAGES
FEBRUARY 2014
The fast pace continues in the Knight’s Battalion. Since returning from the Winter Break we’ve
competed in two Drill Meets and are preparing for the State Competition at Service High School
on the 22nd of this month. While we didn’t fare as well as we had hoped in the first two meets
we continue to work hard and will do our best at the upcoming meet. Congratulations are in
order for our Exhibition Unarmed Team who won a 2nd Place at the Eagle River Meet and a 3rd
Place at the CHS Meet. Our Exhibition Armed Team also fared well at the CHS Meet earning a
2nd Place trophy while being down one cadet. We’ve also had the honor and privilege of serving
the community in several Color Guards including the Martin Luther King celebration at the
Valley Performing Arts Center. We’re also looking forward to presenting the colors at the
Iditarod Restart on the 4th of March. The Military Ball and Triathlon are right around the corner
and we’ll soon be announcing the award recipients for this year’s Dining In. Please see our
activities calendar for all the latest events.
NOVEMBER 2013
The Drill team has been practicing day and night and is looking forward to the first
competition at Lathrop High School on December 7th. We’ll field teams in all categories and
look forward to a great trip. Our Color Guard has the privilege this month of participating in
numerous Veterans Day ceremonies as noted on the activities calendar. The joint bowling
competition takes place this month on the 18th of November at JBER. The Knights Battalion will
field a very competitive bowling team and we hope to bring home some hardware this year.
We’ll have a booth set up at the Colony Christmas Bazar on November 30th so please pass the
word and come out to support our fundraising efforts. We’ll be selling Para-cord bracelets, raffle
tickets, baked goods, etc. As always, please see the activities calendar for all the details.
OCTOBER 2013
This month’s calendar is packed with many competitive events and community service
opportunities. Cadets will be competing in the WACKO Decathlon, Cadet Challenge, and a
Dodge Ball competition sponsored by the CHS Wrestling Team. We also had the honor of being
asked to participate in the “Honor Flight” program (http://www.honorflight.org/ ). We are
planning on sending a bus load of Cadets to Ted Stevens International Airport on the 26th of
October to welcome home WWII Veterans after their visit to the memorials in Washington D.C.
Last but not least; we begin our regular season drill practice this month! If getting a ride to
practice is a challenge please contact the team captain to discuss car pool opportunities. See the
activity calendar for all the events this month.
SEPTEMBER 2013
The Knight’s Battalion has been moving full throttle this month. Our prestigious Color Guard
had the honor to present the colors at a “Quilts for Veterans” ceremony at the Pioneers Home in
Palmer along with performing duties at all home football games and the homecoming assembly.
Cadets were also busy volunteering at the MATSU Emergency Preparedness Expo, working at
the football games and school assemblies, etc. We started a new relationship with Machetanz
Elementary School this year when we sent four of our best Cadets into the 5th grade classroom to
instruct flag etiquette.
AUGUST 2013
Welcome back from summer break! We have an action packed school year ahead and our
calendar is quickly filling up with events. 1SG Gogert retired at the end of last school year and
was replaced by 1SG Heavener who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our
program.
We’re excited to have over 50 new cadets enrolled in JROTC. For the parents of the new
cadets, I’d like to share our philosophy with you. We believe every student has dreams and
aspirations and we’re energized and privileged to help your child achieve their goals as we
“motivate them to become better citizens.” Our curriculum helps Cadets develop life-long
leadership and decision making skills and supports the CHS Mission “To inspire academic
achievement and personal growth in all our students so they will successfully participate as
active and responsible citizens in our ever-changing world.”
As noted on our activities calendar we have numerous activities scheduled this school year.
We start off the school year with the State Fair Parade and recycling. Student participation is an
integral part of our curriculum and we appreciate your active support in ensuring your child’s
success. These activities are great opportunities to develop leadership, followership, and service
to the school and community. Parents are always invited to attend drill competitions and social
events. Throughout the school year we will solicit your assistance to serve as chaperones at
various events. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if this is something you desire to do.
We’re honored and privileged that your child is now part of the Colony Knights JROTC
Team. This is going to be a great school year and we look forward to partnering with you to
inspire your child to achieve their maximum potential and develop into responsible citizens.
Please feel free to contact us at any time via email or phone should you have any questions or
concerns.
MAY 2013
On Thursday, May 2, ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling) recognized Colony
High School JROTC Cadets for their achievements in recycling and litter prevention at their
annual Awards Banquet held at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. The Cadets
were recognized for Outstanding Service for their volunteer efforts in support of recycling at the
Alaska State Fair and their monthly volunteer work at Valley Community for Recycling
Solutions Recycling Center providing exemplary service to the communities of the MatSu
Valley. By acknowledging exceptional service and contributions to recycling and litter
prevention, the ALPAR awards encourage everyone in Alaska to do their part to prevent and
clean up litter and reduce, reuse and recycle our waste while continually developing better
business methods that lend to sustainable and beautiful communities. Congratulations Knight’s
Battalion!!
APRIL 2013
Coming up the first week of April is our Dining Out and Awards Banquet which will be held at
the Egan Center from 1800-2200 on Friday, April 5th. The Dining Out and Awards Banquet is a
formal affair conducted with Anchorage School District JROTC units. This year 33 Cadets from
the Knight’s Battalion were selected to received National, State and Local Awards based on
Leadership, Academic Achievement, Military Discipline, Character, and Citizenship. The
Dining Out is the biggest and most important event of the JROTC school year because it
recognizes the hard work and dedication that the Cadets put into their JROTC unit.
Tickets are $35 and dress is semi-formal. Cadets will have an opportunity to work for their
ticket at one of our upcoming fundraising activities. Award recipients who work at the fund
raiser will have their ticket paid for in full. All other family members attending will have to pay
$35 per family member. Award recipients have been notified of their selection and must let LTC
Diotte or 1SG Gogert know how many family members will attend not later than April 1st.
Checks should be made out to Colony High School JROTC.
I'm extremely proud of all of our Cadets and thank each of you for playing an active role in the
success of the "Knight's Battalion"!
MARCH 2013
As many of you have noticed, our Activities Calendar is packed full from now until the end of
the school year. For the month of March, I’d like to highlight our Change of Command
Ceremony scheduled for Thursday, March 28th during advisory. Please check in at the front
office for a visitor pass if you plan on attending. This is an important event for the Battalion and
we encourage friends and families to attend.