At New Tampa’s Wharton High, about 180 students are part of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC; photo). According to Gretchen Channell, whose son is a cadet, “It’s a great mix of students, both girls and boys. You don’t have to be military-bound to join. It’s all about leadership, service to the community, and to country.”
Channell and other members of the Wharton NJROTC Booster Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will host the group’s third annual “Sporting Clays Classic” on Saturday, April 1, 8 a.m., at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays & Archery at 10514 Ehren Cutoff in nearby Land O’Lakes.
All proceeds assist cadets with expenses related to activities, competitions and summer leadership camps.
“Our teens compete all over the state in air rifle marksmanship, academic team and drill team,” explains Melissa Hale, another Wharton NJROTC mom and booster member. “Our color guard has performed at dozens of sporting events, memorials and competitions. Our cadets take special trips during the school year and go to several different leadership camps over the summer.”
Cadets will be manning each of the stations, launching the clays that participants will shoot.
The day will start with a light breakfast, followed by the chance to hit 50 clay targets at 15 stations. Golf cart and ammo are provided. Shotguns can even be rented from Tampa Bay Sporting Clays & Archery.
After teams and individuals are done with the course, lunch will be served, followed by raffles and trophies for the top finishers. The booster club can accommodate about 100 participants and is hoping to fill all of those available spots.
To register, please visit SportingClaysClassic3.eventbrite.com. For info about sponsorships or other questions, email wharton.jrotcbooster@gmail.com.
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