Saturday, Dec 10, the weather was beautiful outside. Students from Sumter and Clarendon counties participated in the annual Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Ball. The Army National Guard Armory in Sumter County, off Pike Street, was the venue for this gala event. Students from Eagle Battalion Army JROTC from Scott’s Branch High Middle/High School, Air Force JROTC from Manning High School, and Air Force ROTC from Crestwood and Lakewood in Sumter were all present.
All the students converged. Parents were not allowed. JROTC Instructors and teachers from thr various schools served as the chaperones. The National Guard Armory was fabulously decorated. Students were dressed to the nines in ball attire and uniforms representing their JROTC units. A highlight of the event was the crowning of kings and queens from each of the JROTC programs. Dinner was catered and served by the chaperones to approximately two hundred students and adults who attended this event. One of the honored guests was Asst. Superintendent of Administration Dr. Jacqueline Inabinette of Clarendon County School District, accompanied by her husband.
The capstone of the occasion was the picture-taking and dancing in the night. The ball ended at 10 p.m. Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dorian Brunson from the Eagle Battalion Scott’s Branch Middle High School stated, “This event was monumental in the bringing together of two school districts. It was wonderful to observe the Espirit de Corps among the Cadets. It truly felt like one big happy family. The Cadets and Instructors alike are looking forwards to next year’s activities.”
