By Debbie Adams
The William Byrd High School Navy National Defense Cadet Corps held its first Military Ball at
the Charles R. Hill Community Center on April 17.
The cadets were in charge of the event, which began with a reception, followed by dinner and an
awards ceremony.
Cadet Lt. Commander Leighann Wood, the commander of the William Byrd NNDCC,
welcomed guests, including speaker Captain Gary Powers, president of the Military Officers
Association of America, Byrd’s Interim Naval Science instructor Senior Master Sgt. Paul
Richardson, Jason Suhr and Mark Jones from the RCPS Career and Technical Education
program which supervises the NNDCC, WBHS Principal Travis Anderson, future Naval Science
instructor Command Senior Chief Shawn Wingle, and Vinton Mayor Brad Grose.
The event included the traditional POW/MIA Ceremony honoring those missing in action or
prisoners of war in all wars and in all branches of the service.
Several cadets, Senior Chief Wingle, SMSgt. Richardson, and Mayor Grose participated in the
one of the grossest traditions in military history – drinking a disgusting concoction from a “Grog
Bowl” for supposed rule infractions. If a cadet has violated the rules of the mess, another cadet
has the opportunity and solemn duty to send him or her to the grog.
Cadets march to the grog bowl, salute it, fill their cup at least halfway, perform an about face,
raise their cup and say, “TO THE MESS!”, drink the Grog, and turn the cup upside down on
their head.
the Grog Bowl.
After dinner (catered by Germaine Fletcher) there was a presentation of the Senior video. Then
Capt. Powers was introduced. He was born in Roanoke where he attended William Byrd. He
went on to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Aeronautical Engineering. In May 1972,
he entered the Navy’s Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program in Pensacola, Fla. He left
service briefly and re-entered the Navy as an intelligence specialist and was commissioned as an
ensign in 1984.
He served in numerous assignments as a Navy intelligence analyst serving throughout Europe as
well as South America, the Caribbean and Japan. This led to his selection as commanding officer
of a Joint Reserve Intelligence Systems unit in Norfolk. He next served on the deputy chief of
staff to the commander of Naval Reserve Intelligence Command in Texas. Assignments that
followed included commanding officer, European Command, Joint Analysis Center and as
director of Joint Operations, Joint Reserve Intelligence Support Element and area commander,
Mid-Atlantic Region, Navy Reserve Command.
In 2010, he volunteered for active duty and was selected as deputy commander, Joint Analysis
Center, RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom and served until he retired from the United States
Navy in June 2013 after 35 years of service.
Capt. Powers resides in Roanoke with his wife Nancy and remains active in numerous service
organizations.
In his remarks, Capt. Powers talked not only about his time in military intelligence work, but
about the core values of the US Navy – honor, courage, and commitment.
During the ceremony which followed, SMSgt. Richardson, assisted by Capt. Powers and Senior
Chief Wingle, presented awards to the cadets.
Cadets Devin Clark, LeNorah Garcia, Noah Nicely, Savannah Powell, and Mason Truslow were
honored with a special medal to wear on their robes at graduation.
robes. From left are Senior Chief Wingle, Cadets Noah Nicely, Savannah Powell, Mason
Truslow, Devin Clark, and LeNorah Garcia, and Capt. Powers.
“The goal of any JROTC program is to build better citizens,” Richardson said. “One of the key
measurements of this goal is providing community service.” Cadets who provided 10 or more
hours of community service received the Community Service Ribbon, including Franklin Apple,
Devin Clark, LeNorah Garcia, Nathan Hale, Nancy McFalls, Mia Mohammed, Aldyr Phillips-
Gibson, Savannah Powell, Nathaniel Reed, Brittanya Torres, Mason Truslow, Emma Williams,
and Leighann Woods.
Ten cadets earned their Orienteering Ribbon for a Sports Challenge against Air Force teams
across the southwest Virginia region: Leighann Wood, LeNorah Garcia, Shawn Bunce, Franklin
Apple, Alexis Short, Landen Martin, Nathan Hale, Devin Clark, Eli Barton, and Josten Pimlott.
Cadets Leighann Wood, Josten Pimlott, and Andrew Bartley were awarded Physical Fitness
Ribbons based on age and sex in completing curl-ups, push-ups, and the mile run.
Each year, Outstanding Cadets are named in each year group based on citizenship, academic
performance, personal appearance, and conduct.
- Naval Science 1 winners were Shawn Bunce, Mia Mohammed, Bailey Overstreet, and
Emma Williams.
- Naval Science 2 winners were Nathaniel Hale, Landen Martin, Josten Pimlott, Savannah
Powell, Nathaniel Reed, Alexis Short, Brittanya Torres, Leighann Wood, Emma
Williams, and Andrew Bartley.
- Naval Science 3 winners were LeNorah Garcia and Mason Truslow.
The highest award a cadet can receive is being named a Distinguished Cadet, given to only one
cadet in each year group with the highest combined average for overall scholastic standing,
aptitude in NJROTC, unit activities, physical fitness, community service, and drill.
- First Year winner: Shawn Bunce
- Second Year group winner: Leighann Wood
- Third Year group winner: LeNorah Garcia
SMSgt. Richardson bestows his own award each year, the Special Bulldog Award. This year’s
recipient was Brady Maxey, “for always giving his best and never failing to show up with a
positive attitude. You just feel better being around him. He’s a champion.”
Maxey.
Different civic organizations in the area also presented awards. The Order of Daedalians was
presented to Senior Chief Andrew Bartley. The order is a fraternity of commissioned military
pilots from all military services, organized by World War I commissioned military pilots who
sought to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, love of country, and high ideals of self-sacrifice,
placing service to the nation above personal safety and position. This award is offered to
encourage these traits in JROTC cadets and to interest them in a military career.
The Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction Award, goes to the cadet who has contributed the most
to encourage and demonstrate Americanism during participation in extracurricular activities or
community projects. They must demonstrate academic excellence by being in the top 25% of
their academic class. This award for 2025 went to Corps Commander Leighann Wood.
Emma Williams was this year’s AMVETS winner for demonstrating a positive attitude toward
NJROTC and exhibiting great uniform wear, grooming, and posture. Winners must demonstrate
officer potential and maintain an “A” in NJROTC.
AMVETS sponsors an essay contest for NJROTC graduating seniors. This year’s topic was
“What does flag protection mean to me?” Cadet Savannah Powell won $1,000 for being one of
four essay winners in southwest Virginia.
Alexis Short won the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal for 2025, presented by
Sharon and Lt. Col. Heather Menzies of the local DAR. Sharon is past regent; Heather is a DAR
member and an Air Force retiree. The recipient of the DAR Medal must have demonstrated
loyalty and patriotism while earning a record of military and scholastic achievement during their participation in the JROTC program. They must be in the upper 25% of their JROTC classes and
all academic classes.
Menzies (center) and Sharon Menzies.
The VFW JROTC Medal was presented to Josten Pimlott. This award goes to a cadet who shows
outstanding achievement in the cadet program and provides excellent leadership.
Chaelyn Bandy, administrative officer, received the Military Order of World Wars Medal for
being a cadet who displays abilities and attitudes that lead to individual and team success,
demonstrating exemplary leadership, military skills, and service to the community.
Captain Powers presented the Military Officers Association of American (MOAA) Medal to
Nathaniel Hale. The winner of this award must demonstrate a high degree of loyalty to the unit,
school, and country, be in good academic standing and of high moral character and demonstrate
exceptional potential for military leadership.
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Medal. (photo by Gordon Menzies)
SMSgt. Richardson said that his nominee for this award is “the type of individual who is always
there when you need him. There is no task he is not willing to take on and quietly gets the job
done.”
LeNorah Garcia, Operations and Special Team officer, won the MAJ James Milton Archer, Jr.,
USA Award for 2024 from the Southwest Virginia Chapter of MOAA which recognizes a
distinguished cadet who has demonstrated superior military leadership in the program and a high
order of loyalty to their unit and country. The award includes a plaque, certificate, and $50
check.
Leighann Wood was recognized as the winner of the AMVETS Medal in 2024.
After the ceremony came the fun – the Military Ball.
