Aberdeen JROTC program begins construction for new classroom

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Instructors and cadets have a plan for the renovations – Now they have the money.

Over the next couple of weeks, students and staff are rolling up their sleeves to get to work on a long-awaited makeover.

Chipped Paint. Old air conditioning units. A moldy carpet.

This is what senior JROTC student Ariel Hatten says she has looked at every day for the last four years.

“This room has been through so many changes because at first, it was the mechanics room, it was the powerlifting room, it was the cosmetology lab and that’s why we have so many different colors and things going on in here,” said Hatten.

But little did she know it would all be changing.

The Home Depot Foundation awarded Aberdeen High School JROTC Program $10,000 to make major upgrades to their classroom.

In two weeks, new floorboards, a fresh paint job, and air conditioning units will all be put in.

“Seeing that we’re finally getting to rebuild it and put it back together to make it what it should be is very exciting,” said Hatten.

Before being designated for the ROTC Program, Room 25 experienced a lot of wear and tear, leaving the room in an unstable condition.

Sergeant Rodney Williams said his cadets came up with designs and colors for the new classroom.

“When a cadet comes in, they see A1 facilities, they want to be A1 and we tried to instill in our kids, this first semester when we came up with this program we are going to be the flagship, and in order to be the flagship, you need to look like you’re there. We may not have the best materials and stuff like some of the top schools have but we’re going to take care of our stuff,” said Williams.

A new look, means more positive attitudes.

“Having the old room people came in here all slouched over, kind of boring. People didn’t really feel like doing any color guard drills or anything so having this makes people want to thrive to their achievements in this program,” said student Vincent Hayes.

Hatten said she’s grateful to leave her mark for those JRTOC students who will come after her.

“It’s like leaving a legacy. When people who come here next to us they’re going to look back and say oh my cousin did this or my brother my sister did this. They put the floor together, they made the colors, they painted the walls, they did all of that, so we’re leaving a legacy behind from all of us,” said Hatten.

All classroom renovations should be finalized by November 13.

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