Our Unit has been recognized yet again for its great improvements by being presented with the "Distinguished Unit Award" for 2010-2011.  This is a Department of Defense award presented to only the top thirty-percent of all units in the world; it's an "all-service" competition and award.  The Area Manager sent out the list last week with his gracious congratulations to all who achieved this awesome distinction!  Another great job, cadets!

Our Unit's "Area Manager's Inpsection" (AMI) was conducted on Friday, April 20th with "Outstanding" results.  The Area Manager conducts inspections of all Units in Florida every other year.  Alternate years, an "Off-Site Inspection" is conducted where the commanders (Senior Naval Science Instructors) may inspect another Unit in much the same fashion as the AMI.  Commander Hebert provided Dr. Knobl and Mr. Elias (AP to whom NJROTC is assigned) with a "knock your socks off" debrief about the progress our Unit has made in recent years.  He emphasized our academic program, informing these gentlemen that Gulf is the first Unit in history to win the National Academic Exam competition three years in a row.  That was the most significant accomplishment toward being awarded another "Distinguished Unit" recognition.  Congratulations to our hard working cadets!

We have had to change the date of our annual awards night due to recent notification that the National Academic Brain Bowl, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia was in conflict with our ceremony.  The new date for our ceremony is Thursday evening, May 12th.  The time and location remain the same (e.g., 7:00 p.m. at GHS Gymnasium/Activity Center).

Our cadets traveled to Oviedo on March 4th, in preparation for the 2011 State Championship.  The goal for this year was to do well enough to place "4th Overall," (twenty-four teams) one better than the previous year and two better than the year before that.  Dr. Knobl provided an online statement that showed how proud he was of this Unit and the competition teams participating at the State level.  He traveled on Saturday to watch the team perform in front of approximately 1200 competitors and their supporters.  The team did not let him down!  Of note, our Academic Team placed 2nd of twenty-four, 3rd in Color Guard, 4th in team Sit-Ups, and 5th Overall in Athletics.  Cody Boyet placed 4th in Academics with a score of 86; Krystene Wills placed 3rd in Female Sit-Ups, and Britnee Hogarth 3rd in Female Push-Ups.  This HUGE effort helped put the team ahead of the team that edged them out last year by minimum points - Central High School.  This year, we edged them out by three points!  We are the State's alternate for the 2011 National Championship.  If any of the top three teams, Boca Raton, Winter Park, or Flanagan drop out, then Gulf is the state's third team to compete.  Congratulations to a very successful year, cadets!!!  Next year - 3rd!!!