Good News

Click left for the Naples Daily News cover story on 3 of our JROTC Cadets: The Fertil Siblings. Marc, Carl and Marie Fertil have only been in this country a short time but they are doing everything they can to succeed in this country. They work hard to get great grades and prepare themselves for college while struggling to find work to pay family bills. Thank you to those in the community who have helped them out.

Congratulations to Cadet Johnathan Wimberly and Cadet Cindy Rivas for being selected for the 2009 Youth Leadership Collier Program sponsored by the Naples Chamber of Commerce. This is a leadership program that begins with teambuilding exercises, follows with visits to local businesses and concludes with a graduation dinner. They were the only two students selected from GGHS and they represented our JROTC program and our school well.

CONGRATULATIONS to Cadets John Ellis, Travis Williams, Alex Morris and Julia Birmele for being presesnted the "Do the Right Thing" award from the Collier County Sheriff's Office. One day they approached a vehicle and observed that the driver was slumped over the steering wheel and had vomited on himself. The students tried to get the driver’s attention but he was unconscious. At this time, the students stayed with the driver and notified the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. The Sheriff’s Office and EMS arrived on the scene and the driver was transported to the hospital. According to what paramedics told the students, the driver was suffering from a diabetic seizure, and had alcohol in his system. Paramedics also told the students that this vehicle could have continued into the lake that was directly in front of the car and that the driver could have drowned. These ROTC students possibly saved the life of, or, at least assisted in rendering medical treatment to a diabetic person in need. Their actions reflect great credit to themselves, and to Golden Gate High School ROTC program. They certainly did the right thing by stopping and calling for help instead of ignoring the situation and driving away. A diabetic needs proper treatment to prevent serious medical issues or even death. Thank you all for doing the right thing--Collier County Sheriff's Office

Congratulations to LTC Garrah for being selected by the Florida Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) as the Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year for grades 9-12. The VFW honored Colonel Garrah on January 16th in Orlando at the VFW Mid-Winter Conference. Also pictured are the Florida Citizenship Education Teachers of the Year at the Elementary and Middle School levels. LTC Garrah is the first JROTC instructor in the state to receive this award from the Florida VFW. Click here for Collier County Public Schools Press Release. Naples Daily News Article Collier Citizen Article

Golden Gate High School JROTC was instrumental in the planning, organizing and running of the ceremony at Naples Memorial Gardens to commemorate that 65th anniversary of World War II. Twenty-three cadets provided color guard, wreath laying, set-up, tear-town and other support to the ceremony. SGM Barchers was the emcee of the ceremony and did a wonderful job highlighting our "greatest generation." For images from Naples Daily News click here for the Naples Daily News Video of the Ceremony click here

Golden Gate High School JROTC took its 2nd annual "We Love Our Country Citizenship Visit" to Washington D.C. March 27-31 2010. This trip was for our graduating senior cadets who have given thousands of hours to our school and community over the past four years. The visit also prepared them for the rights, responsibilities and priviledges of being American Citizens. This experience would not have been possible without all of fthe wonderful sponsors and supporters from our community who care about our kids and our future. THANK YOU!!! Click for pictures.