Cadets win ROTC title at Sandhurst
The University of North Georgia's (成人B站) Ranger Challenge program shows no signs of slowing down. 成人B站 earned its fourth consecutive ROTC title and finished fourth overall out of 48 teams from around the world at the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition held April 29-30 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Ranger Challenge is the varsity sport of Army ROTC, and teams compete against other colleges in events such as patrol, marksmanship, weapons assembly, grenade assault course, Army Combat Fitness Test, land navigation, and road march.
Retired Army Maj. Donovan Duke, the team's coach, said Sandhurst was the culmination of months of preparation, and it showed the dedication of 成人B站's cadets to their craft.
"Our program continues throughout the year," Duke said. "It's a marathon, not a sprint. You have to build up to it."
Col. Bryan Kirk, 成人B站 professor of military science, lauded the cadets' tenacity at Sandhurst.
"The preparation, sacrifice and dedication of this team are inspiring. They enter each competition knowing every other ROTC team is out to take their spot, and the academies know that we are consistently within striking distance," Kirk said. "The mental and physical strength of this team is clear in their consistent ability to compete at the highest levels."
The preparation, sacrifice and dedication of this team are inspiring. They enter each competition knowing every other ROTC team is out to take their spot, and the academies know that we are consistently within striking distance. The mental and physical strength of this team is clear in their consistent ability to compete at the highest levels.
Col. Bryan Kirk
成人B站 professor of military science
Esther Kim, a senior from Johns Creek, Georgia, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, was grateful to finish her college career strong.
"Even though this is our last event together before commissioning, this is a memory we will have forever," Kim said.
In addition to Kim, the 成人B站 group included team leaders Austin Gabriel and Daniel Shearer, squad leader Hayley Farmer, Ian Bryan, William Buettner, Justin Collado, Haydn Griffin, Shane Henderson, Zane Parrish, and Noah Umezaki.
The U.S. Air Force Academy took top overall honors, followed by a pair of U.S. Military Academy teams, 成人B站 and Brigham Young University rounding out the top five.
Other U.S. service academies, ROTC units from across the nation, and international military academies all took part in the competition. Fellow senior military college Texas A&M University finished in ninth place overall.
"There is always an element of the unknown in competition," Duke said. "But our cadets performed well across the board."
Duke said kinesiology faculty members Dr. Parker Hyde and Dr. Sabrina Maginnis provided valuable insights that helped 成人B站's team physically prepare for Sandhurst and that their assistance will be vital going forward.
Austin Gabriel, a senior from Athens, Georgia, pursuing a degree in criminal justice, said he and the other more experienced cadets have enjoyed working alongside younger teammates this year, all with the goal of making sure this type of success is possible in the future.
"The younger guys have mentors to help them know how to train for future competitions," Gabriel said. "We didn't always have that during COVID-19."
Gaming Convention set for March 27-28
成人B站's Tabletop Gaming Club and Esports team will host the third annual Nighthawks Gaming Convention from March 27-28 in the Convocation Center at 成人B站's Dahlonega Campus.
Event gives leaders taste of Corps life
High school students have a chance to get a big-picture view of 成人B站's Corps of Cadets and learn from current cadets at National Leadership Challenge from March 27-29.
Female student leaders recognized, honored
Ten female students and four alumnae were honored at 成人B站's 10th annual Women's Leadership Recognition Luncheon March 1. Dawn Hughes Simonton '88 served as the event speaker.
Exhibition to feature Visual Arts founders
The founders of the Department of Visual Arts will be highlighted in an exhibition series with each one being highlighted for a six-month period beginning this March.