Activities & Events
Greets, Eats, and Beats
Dining Out/Ball Provide Fun Learning Experience
Apr. 15, 2024 – Cadets and guests got to dress up and enjoy an evening out while also observing tradition and ceremony at the annual WA-081 Air Force JROTC Dining Out this past Saturday.
About 40 were in attendance, including students and their guests - consisting of family and friends, school staff, and special guests – for the military-style event held at Medical Lake High School. The evening included a variety of toasts, a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony, a guest speaker, awards presentations, and lots of smiles and laughs.
And let us not forget the dreaded "Grog"! What is that, you might ask? As explained during the Dining Out, the Grog is:
“…a tradition unaffected by time and unfettered by skeptics, a tradition respected by all, cheered, engineered, persevered, and above all, FEARED, by those foolish enough to commit blatant indiscretions in the presence of their peers. All infractions and breaches of protocol will be rewarded with a visit to the Grog.”
This year’s Grog consisted of a water and Gatorade base, which was then “personalized” by select cadets, who generously contributed ingredients of refried beans, rice, club soda, corn tortilla chips, and alphabet soup.
Those who experienced the Grog were required to perform a 10-step ceremonial process before downing the heinous beverage. All first-year cadets were “invited” to partake. Violators of protocol and volunteers (believe-it-or-not) also had the privilege of guzzling the drink.
The President of the Mess recognized and thanked Ms. Carr’s Advanced Culinary class for providing an outstanding meal for the dinner.
This year, included in the festivities was a military-style ball, which resembled more of a mid-to-late twentieth century dance party show. Cadets had a blast letting off some steam after dinner, batting around blue balloons while showing off their line-dancing and Macarena moves, amongst other dance steps.
The event was completely student run, according to Col. Hart, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor. “They are learning how to plan and host a big event and work as a team to make it happen,” said Hart, who heads the AFJROTC program at Medical Lake High School. “It is also a lot of fun and a great way to tie up our year.”
(More photos to come!)
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Although involvement is voluntary, JROTC cadets are encouraged to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities and events, such as:
Planned Activities & Events:
These provide great opportunities for cadets to get involved!
April
- KC-135 flight - Wed., Apr. 10 (select students) ... Photos now available on Photo Album page!
- Dining Out/Military Ball - Sat., Apr. 13, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. @ High School
- Last promotion ceremony of the year/cadet corps change of command/senior names on wall - Thur., Apr. 25 @ 11 a.m. in the auditorium
- Honor Flight - Tue., Apr. 30 (evening event) @ Spokane Int'l Airport
May
- STEM night at MLMS - Thur., May 2
- Medical Lake Cemetery clean-up - Sat., May 11
- Lilac Queen's Luncheon Color Guard - Fri., May 17
- Lilac Festival Parade - Sat., May 18
Note: Post-Memorial Day - Drill team ends for the year
June
- Graduation Color Guard - Thur., Jun. 6
- Medical Lake Founder's Day parade - Sat., Jun. 15 (just a 4-person color guard)
TBD
- March-a-thon fundraiser and Bataan Death March event - TBD
- Laser Tag - TBD
- SIA Tower visit - TBD
Note: Over the summer, Fairchild AFB will have its biennial airshow - Skyfest! Scheduled for Jun. 22-23; click here for more information.
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Cadets Take Flight on KC-135
@ Fairchild AFB Field Trip
(More photos may be found on Photo Album page>Field Trips 2023 - 2024>KC-135 Flight)
The Many Faces of the Color Guard
Military culture and customs are utilized to help each cadet pursue their full potential and become a productive, independent adult upon graduation.