News Archive

Military Ball 2011

 

On February 25, 2011 Summerlin Academy hosted its 2nd Annual Military Ball. It was only a few years ago that Summerlin was going to a County Military Ball where only 90 cadets were able to attend. Summerlin has started a tradition for the better, by having their own Military Ball; they are allowing all of their cadets to attend. This year’s theme was “Unmasking Our Heroes” with a masquerade twist. It was hosted in the Bartow Civic Center here in Bartow. The planning, setting up, and tearing down was done by the Battalion Staff and a few other cadets. Military Ball began at 6:00 and ended at 11:00 that Friday night. Many cadets stated that “This was the best Military Ball they had ever been to. It was even better than Homecoming”.

Summerlin Cadet Wins First Place

 

Summerlin Cadet Private First Class Aaron Butler recently won first place in the Martin Luther King Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Educational Enlightenment Group. Cadet Butler’s speech targeted the relevance of Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violence and its application today. Cadet Butler has always wanted to compete in the contest since his grandmother took him to the competition when he was younger. Of his own admission, Cadet Butler has always been a talker and he felt he could do well if he entered the contest. The picture above shows Cadet Butler receiving his first place award check of $500.00 dollars from Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields and the President of the Educational Enlightenment Group Jeffery Williams. Also pictured, is past winner Errin Joe from Lake Gibson High School. Summerlin Academy salutes his excellence.

Sophomore Dining Out 2011

 

Sophomore Dining Out has been a tradition at Summerlin for four years. It started with an amazing teacher and a dream. That dream became reality during the 2006-2007 school year. Major Ann McCarty hosted all 100 of Summerlin’s sophomores in her home to teach them proper etiquette. She prepared and served all of the food with the help of just a few of Summerlin’s upper classmen, friends, and teachers. On January 8, 2011 she hosted Sophomore Dining Out for 160 sophomores with a theme of “A Night On The Lake”. This special evening consisted of an eight-course meal, entertainment, and a guest speaker, Sherriff Grady Judd. Every guest in attendance received a gift to remember the special night. There were a total of 170 guests in attendance that evening. Sophomore Dining Out is a one of a kind event in the nation, possibly even the world. Summerlin is honored to have such an amazing teacher like Major McCarty to be the founder of this exceptional tradition. There were also more than 80 upperclassmen that helped plan, set-up, plate, serve, and clean-up for the event. The community and cadet volunteers helped make this a success.

Leadership Bartow Class XIV

On Thursday November 18, 2010 the Leadership Bartow Class XIV from the prestigious Bartow Chamber of Commerce visited the Summerlin Military Academy campus in order to learn about the education system and unique learning environment that Summerlin has to offer. From watching our cadets march to lunch to learning how our school operates the Leadership Bartow Class XIV left with new knowledge about our school and excellent comments about our cadets. It was stated that the Battalion Staff was as well organized and put together as the presentation offered by MacDill Air Force Base. Great job to everyone who participated in this event; you helped Summerlin Academy look its best.

 

On November 6, 2010 Summerlin Military Academy hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony was dedicated to Command Sergeant Major John William Long who passed away on November 3, 2010. CSM Long was a decorated veteran who was enlisted in the Army for twenty-six years. He became one of three founding fathers of the Bartow High School JROTC program and he was also one of the primary leaders and founders of the Rifle Team. During the ceremony the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard performed the traditional twenty-one gun salute. The Summerlin Academy Drill Team and Color Guard both had their own part in making this event even more memorable for the Veterans. One of our own faculty members Major McDonald, who is a professional bagpipe instructor, played two songs that brought back a plethora of memories to the attending audience. The Bartow High School Band helped instill heavy emotions with the multiple Armed Forces based songs they performed. Thank you to all those who helped make this event more memorable to all the veterans who have ever served. From this even we can truly say that Summerlin Academy knows how to “remember”.

Cadet Challenge 2010

On October 22, 2010 Summerlin Academy attended the annual Polk County JROTC Cadet Challenge. This year it was held at Tenoroc High School in Lakeland, Florida. Summerlin Academy began there with the expectations of placing in the top three and that’s exactly what they got. Out of twelve JROTC programs from around the county that attended this event, Summerlin Academy placed third. Summerlin not only placed in third overall, but out of the numerous events they competed in they placed first in the shuttle run as well as in the female ¼ mile relay. Summerlin Academy placed second in the female board walk, the male pull ups, and the female flexed arm hang. Summerlin Academy also placed third in the male ¼ mile relay, the male sit ups, and the male fireman’s carry. Congratulations to all those who competed. You guys did an outstanding job.

Raider Competition 2010

On Saturday October 23, 2010 the Summerlin Academy Raider Team attended their first competition of the season. This competition was located at Spruce Creek High School in Daytona, Florida. With a two hour bus ride and the long awaited anticipation of competing the females pulled through. Cadet Jessica Garber placed third in pushups and Cadet Kailey Winebarger placed third in the two mile run. As a team the females placed third in first aid and they placed first in land navigation. The Summerlin Academy Female Raider Team placed third overall. Congratulations to the all Female Raider Team for a making Summerlin history. Good job to the Male and Male Mixed teams as well. Let’s see if we can do the same at the next competition on November 13^th at Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida.

Cadet Basic Training (CBT) 2010

At CBT, incoming cadets will learn the essentials of coming to Summerlin Academy. The students will learn basic drill, flag folding, active team building and proper wear of uniforms. In the classroom, students will be directed in discipline and study skills as well as key JROTC fundamentals. Our number one request is that everyone keeps hydrated! We hope all are enthusiastic about the first experiences these cadets will have at Summerlin Academy and we look forward to seeing everyone.

 Summerlin Drill Cadets Ranked 10th in Nation

Pictured above:
4th Row: 1SGT Cordale Jackson;Sponsor, Michael Suggs, Robert Lockard, Ryan Pitre, Leroy Beckford
3rd Row: Devin Fowler, Jeff Furnish, Bryan Tran, Joshua Parker, Josh Daily, Jacob Machinia
2nd Row: Leo Bermudez, Cynthia Owens, Josh Ng Rodriguez, Lacy Baker, Madison Nickell, Daniel Lester, Thomas Hartsfield
1st Row: Kianna Biggs, Keaira Mitchell, Jessica Wile, Cody Osteen, Faith Raymond, Bridget Bosch
May 1-3, 2010
Our 2010 school year was filled with exciting news of teams and individuals reaching places they have never been to before. One such impressive example is our now nationally ranked drill team. As their first year competing in Daytona Beach, they did remarkably well. The team entered the National Drill Team Competition Master Level unranked; they left as 10th in the nation for their Platoon Armed Exhibition. Cadet Command Sergeant Major Ng Rodriguez says it all when he simply stated, “Do what you can and don’t give up.” The team definitely went in without all odds in their favor and came out representing Summerlin Academy very well. On a more personal level, Cadet Nickell shares, “For me drill is more than just marching, discipline, and teamwork; it’s a continuing learning experience, it’s a passion, it’s unique. I have learned how to push past my own personal issues to be apart of something greater, and from that I have learned who I am as an individual (leader) while being on a team whose goal is to be the same.” This was a lasting experience for all who participated. They have made their school proud. Congratulations to all our 2009-2010 drill team competitors!

 

 Summerlin Cadet is Accepted into West Point

April 12, 2010
It is exciting to be able to say we have our first cadet going to West Point. Graduating from the class of 2010, Jake Bushart will be our first to attend. He was sent a Letter of Assurance saying a spot was reserved for him in the class of 2014 pending the nomination of a Senator or Congressman. With exceptional test scores and a great physical fitness test score, Jake accepted.
He learned more and more about West Point during Summerlin Academy’s Cadet Basic Training, where he had to show a movie to incoming cadets in his JUMS/S-1 class. Faculty members influenced him significantly in his decision.
For school after high school, Jake has decided to major in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering while minoring possibly in Chinese, Japanese, and/or Arabic. After graduation, he plans to serve as an Engineer in the U.S. Army. When he sees himself fulfilling his duties in the Army, he will retire and move on to aerospace research and engineering.

Service Learning Project For Cadets

January 29, 2010
A group of 24 cadets accompanied by 6 chaperones traveled to the Give Kids The World Resort in Kissimmee, FL to volunteer their time. At this resort, terminally and chronically ill children and their families are treated to their own personal villas, food, and fun while partaking in theme parks. The cadets interacted with these children and their families while helping the establishment carry out its everyday undertakings. From serving food to dressing as princesses, these students helped put smiles on the kids’ faces. For more information about this organization visit their webpage.

Senator Bill Nelson Visits Summerlin Academy

August 31, 2009

US Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) taught a history lesson to Summerlin Academy cadets on Monday. Senator Nelson on a tour through Central Florida, stopped in Polk County to recognize the Polk School District for receiving a US History Grant of $996,000.00 dollars. Cadet Major Emily Thraen escorted Senator Nelson on a walking tour of the Summerlin Facility. Cadet LTC Daniela Fagnilli presented a cadet briefing introducing Summerlin Academy to Senator Nelson and District officials along with members of the press. Senator Nelson, a former US Army Captain, engaged Cadet Sergeant Brett Garber in a conversation about marksmanship and questions about the Summerlin rifle range. Cadets involved with the Judo program demonstrated live judo match for our distinguished guest. When asked by the press Senator Nelson said “the school is impressive, very impressive.” It was honor to have such a high ranking member of the US Senate to visit Summerlin Academy.

Summerlin Cadets Help to Make Dreams Come True

Twenty-five cadets and 4 chaperones helped kids suffering from terminal illnesses at the Give Kids World Resort in Kissimmee. The cadets help to facilitate the evening events for the kids and their families. Families with kids with critical illnesses are flown in from around the world and given a week’s all expenses paid vacation along with access to all of the local attractions. The charity operates with support from hundreds from corporate businesses and volunteers like the Cadets of Summerlin Academy. To learn more about give kids the world logon to www.gktw.org

Summerlin Academy Phase II finally completed

Summerlin Academy Phase II was completed and handed over to our administration. Phase II additions include multi-purpose room and the indoor rifle range. The aerial photo shows Phase I and Phase II together as the almost complete campus. Phase III which includes the last 7 classrooms and the Obstacle Course and Rappel Tower is due to get started in February for the next 2009-2010 school year. Phase IV is currently under development which hopes to add the Dining Facility to the already magnificent campus.

Summerlin Cadets brief Officers and NCOs of the National Guard Operations Center in Washington, DC.

A selected group of Summerlin Juniors & Seniors had the rare opportunity to conduct a joint briefing with members of the National Guard Operations Center in Washington DC. The National Guard liaison COL John Story a former Bartow High School JROTC cadet helped coordinate the visit. Summerlin Cadets started the briefing by introducing themselves in critical foreign languages that they are studying ranging from Chinese, Arabic, and German. The trip also included visits to North Georgia Military College, Virginia Military Institute, University of Maryland, United States Naval Academy, and the Citadel.