Recent News/Notes/Events

03 May 2024: The Upson - Lee NJROTC sent 6 cadets over to the Upson - Lee Pre-K Field Day. They had such an amazing time, and had loads of fun. The cadets made so many little friends, and cannot wait for next year.

30 April 2024: The Upson-Lee NJROTC program hosted its awards night and celebrated graduating seniors. The Changing of the Command honors were conducted as Cadet Commander Emily Goggins was relieved by Cadet Lieutenant Commander Ryan Anglin. 

15-18 April 2024: 28 cadets and both instructors traveled to Pensacola, FL for the annual End Of Year Trip. The cadets visited the USS Alabama and the naval base, participated in a 7-mile canoe trip, and observed the Blue Angels practicing! The cadets had a wonderful time!

30 March 2024: The orienteering team particpated in their final meet of the season. Parents and family were invited to run with their cadets, as per tradition. They traveled to Chattahoochee State Park where they ran their courses and then held a celebration for the graduating seniors. The captain, Briceon Ozley, handed his position down to the new official orienteering captain, Leland Bergmeier. 

16 March 2024: The GHSA rifle team traveled to Waycross, GA to compete in the State Championships. The rifle members say their experience was absolutely amazing! Our seniors this year, Emily Goggins, Jada Dunbar, and Jerry Cleveland are beyond happy and proud to have State Champs with the rest of this team as their last competition. The highest shooter of the team was Emily Goggins (565), followed closely behind with James Mayer (564), Jada and Jerry both tied (551), and Abigail Ozley (541).

8 March 2024: In light of Campus Visiting Season, the Unit traveled to Columbus State university! They took a tour of the lovely campus and enjoyed a hearty lunch in the buffet-style cafeteria. Thank you CSU, and it is the Unit's hope that cadets have been inspired to continue looking for their dream school!

4 March 2024: The GHSA Rifle Team secured another win at North Cobb High School! In doing so, they will now compete in the GHSA Finals. The highest shooter was team captain Emily Goggins with a 291. The Knights won with an outstanding 1134 as the opposing team finished with a 1075. Exemplary marksmanship!

28 February 2024: Six cadets from the unit, including the CO, XO, and Admin visited the Upson-Lee Middle School to appeal to students who may want to join JROTC in the coming years! 8th Graders were able to learn about the different teams, see the uniforms worn, and see the comradery built in the program. The unit hopes to see many familiar faces next academic year!

27 February 2024: The Unit completed their first college visit of the year! They traveled to Barnesville to receive a tour at Gordon State College. With 20 cadets present, the younger members of the unit got exposure to factors that may influence their future!

26 February 2024: Upson-Lee's Precision Rifle Team competed against St. Vincent Academy for their first play-off match and won! The ladies on the other team traveled all the way from Savannah, GA, and put up an amazing fight. The Knights won by only 3 points at an aggregate of 1115 and 1112! Outstanding! The top shooter was Emily Goggins with a 288!

16-17 February 2024: The Company's Commanding Officer and Rifle Team Captain Emily Goggins competed in this year's Navy Nationals in Anniston, Alabama. Goggins shot as an individual against the Nation's top High School riflemen and women in two grueling 3x20 matches. Good work, CO!

16 February 2024: The Unit enjoyed an outing to the Warner Robin's Air Museum today! 25 cadets were able to enjoy a tour of the museum filled with activities, sightseeing, and so much fun! We love to give our cadets a well-deserved break!

11 February 2024: The Orienteering Team went to their favorite, Dauset Trails, to participate in a GA Orienteering meet. One of our freshman on the team placed Top 5 overall on the Yellow (male) track! Congratulations cadet Ryan Hall! We also had top 10 finishers in that course with cadet Jeremy Demand in 7th and cadet Miles Self in 10th. On the Yellow (female) course, cadet De'Asiah Kendall finished 10th overall. Outstanding jobs, Orienteering team!

10 February 2024: The Unit got back in the groove with another monthly Adopt-A-Highway! 22 Cadets showed up and showed out by helping the community stay clean! Great job cadets, Thomaston and Highway 74 thanks you!

7 February 2024: The GHSA Rifle Team traveled to Chattahoochee County High School to compete in the Area 1 Regional Championships. Upson-Lee competed the first day out of the two day competition, amongst 3 other teams, finishing in 3rd place overall. This competition will be used to decide if the team will move forward in the 2024 GHSA State Championships . 

1 February 2024: Four members from the Unit's Academic Team participated in the JLAB Level 2. They were able to make it to this round due to their success in the first level. Members were Joy Smith (captain), Maia Brown, Miles Self, and Ryan Anglin

31 January 2024: The GHSA Rifle Team traveled to Shaw High School and took a victory! The final score was 1104 to 1030, and Emily Goggins held the highest score of 284 and James Mayer close behind with a 281. The team's next competition will be Regionals!

28 January 2024: The Orienteering Team navigated their way through Bert Adams Scout Camp. A successful day, several cadets qualified for their Orienteering cords, marking their accomplishments on the team. In addition, many of the cadets ran their individual courses in under 45 minutes! Outstanding job, Orienteering!

27 January 2024: The Rifle Team attended this school year's JROTC Rifle Area Championships with both Sporter and Precision teams present! Both teams shot amazing, but unfortunately did not qualify as a team. The team captain, Emily Goggins, shot an individual score of 576 during the competition, and proceeded to finals. From there she shot a 100.1 in standing, securing her third place in the top three of all individual shooters! Her final score was a 676, and she will be competing in the Navy Nationals as an individual in February. Congratulations, Rifle!

25 January 2024: The GHSA Rifle Team hosted Columbus High School. The match was extremely close, but resulted with Columbus taking the win. 

13 January 2024: The Rifle Team attended the Warhawk STS for a chance to qualify for championships. The outcome had both Sporter and Precision teams proceeding to Area 12 Championships on January 27!

11 January 2024: The GHSA Rifle Team traveled to Kendrick High School to compete. 

2023

14 December 2023: The GHSA Rifle Team hosted Northside High School. They won the match with an overall score of 1121 vs 1092. Team Captain, Emily Goggins was the highest shooter with a score of 283 out of 300!

10 December 2023: The Orienteering Team traveled to Appling, Georgia's Mistletoe State Park to participate in a Georgia Orienteering event. The cadets had a fantastic time despite the torrents of rain. For the first time, three cadets ran a red course and completed it with time to spare!

9 December 2023: The Rifle Team traveled to Anniston, Alabama for the Thomson STS. It was the sporter team's last competition of the season, and they are looking foward to picking it up next year. Huge shoutout to the precision team for placing first overall! Cadets James Mayer and Emily Goggins shot first and second place respectively. The precision team will now move on to the JROTC Championships!

7 December 2023: The first day of the Empty Stocking Fund/Canned Food Drive at Fellowship Baptist Church! This event will be broken up into shifts until December 16, 2023! The cadets are helping the church provide toys and food for families in need. 

7 December 2023: The GHSA Rifle Team hosted Harris County High School. They won the match with an overall score of 1104 vs 1085. Once again, Emily Goggins was the highest shooter with a score of 285 out of 300!

2 December 2023: The Rifle Team traveled to Anniston, AL to compete in the Gary Anderson STS.

30 November 2023: The Upson-Lee GHSA Rifle Team traveled to their season opening match against Chattahoochee County High School. Upson-Lee defeated their opponent with a final score of 1110 to 1089. The highest shooter of the match was this year's team captain, Emily Goggins with an individual score of 286 out of 300 points.

20-21 November 2023: 13 cadets volunteered for Mountain View Baptist Church's "Families Feeding Families". A charity designed to feed families who are unable to have a warm Thanksgiving Meal. Multiple cadets volunteered both days so each shift had more than enough hands to make sure the work of the church would go unhindered. 

18 November 2023: 20 cadets participated in this month's Adopt-A-Highway. Despite the temperature, the cadets made sure the side of the highway was sparkling!

17 November 2023: The Academic Team completed the JLAB Testing under the supervision of Petty Officer Bert and the leadership of Team Captain Joy Smith. 

16 November 2023: Twenty cadets assisted the Thomaston-Upson School System in their annual Family Engagement Night. Many booths were set up and ran by teachers or students to entertain younger children. 

16-17 November 2023: Cadets completed the Fall PFT of push-ups, sit-ups, and a mile run.

15 November 2023: The unit had a relaxing and celebratory day after the events of and leading up to the AMI. All platoons were able to bring in school appropriate board games and/or card games. Charlie Platoon received a "pizza party" to congratulate them on receiving Honor Platoon!

14 November 2023: The Knight Company completed this year's Area Manager's Inspection with Commander Jonathan Shaw, Area 10 Manager, as the guest inspector. Under the command of Company Commanding Officer, cadet Emily Goggins, the unit presented the company in personal inspections, Pass In Review ceremony, and an armed exhibition drill routine. The unit received a satisfactory overall. 

12 November 2023: The Orienteering Team traveled to Winder, GA to compete in the Qualifying Match at Fort Yargo State Park. Five cadets ran an orange course, and five ran a yellow course. Unfortunately, the team did not qualify as a whole, but cadet Olivia White placed fourth individually overall in the female division of the yellow course. 

11 November 2023: The Rifle Team hosted their Shoulder to Shoulder at Ole Mill Range in Griffin, GA. The Knight Classic hosted 18 schools and deemed it a success. 

10 November 2023: The Unit hosted its annual Veteran's Day Observation at Greatest Generation Park in Thomaston, GA. Speeches for each branch were given in order to honor those who have served or are currently serving. A joint color guard saluted each branch as the speeches were given, and their theme song was played by Upson-Lee's Band. Lastly, wreaths were lain and saluted to honor wars since the first World War. 

4 November 2023: The Academic Team and Rifle Team had separate but equally exciting endeavors. The Academic Team, led by captain c/ENS Joy Smith, participated in the team's first Brain Brawl hosted by Eagle's Landing High School. The Rifle Team shot in the Cairo High School STS, and as a result, precision placed 3rd overall (tying with McEachern but with 3 less center 10's), and sporter placed 1st overall! This competition was out of 14 teams. 

28 October 2023: The Rifle Team's sporter and precision members traveled to Camden County High School in Kingsland, GA. Precision finished 3rd place overall, and sporter finished 4th place overall! Led by Rifle Team Captain Emily Goggins.

27 October 2023: Upson-Lee High School hosted a Senior Night and eight cadets were recognized for doing Color Guard events over the years. The cadets were Maia Brown, Jada Dunbar, Emily Goggins, Sarah Landers, Elizabeth Leonard, Hailey Millard, Briceon Ozley, and Joy Smith.

21 October 2023: The Company's drill team attended Lee County's Sanctioned Drill Meet. The team was commanded by Drill Captain c/LT Elizabeth Leonard. They participated on all six teams, unfortunately not making it to the relay race at the end. 

14 October 2023: The Knight Company celebrated the Navy's 248th birthday by throwing the annual Navy Birthday Ball at Oak Hill Farms. Seniors were escorted under a sword arch presented by eight male cadets under the command of c/ENS Leland Bergmeier.

6 October 2023: Eight senior cadets and twelve junior cadets performed the annual Homecoming Halftime Show. The twelve male cadets escorted the school's Homecoming Princesses through the sword arch presented by the senior cadets. Commanded by c/LCDR Emily Goggins. 

5 October 2023: Upson-Lee Knight Company marched at the head of the county's annual Homecoming Parade. Commanded by c/LT Elizabeth Leonard, the company looked sharp from the Tasty Shoppe to the Preschool!

1 October 2023: The Orienteering Team traveled over two hours to reach their first Orienteering Meet of the season at Don Carter State Park in Gainesville, Georgia. Here, they stretched and prepared before splitting into six groups of three to four cadets. They all ran a Yellow Course (3.2 km/2 mi). Four teams completed in top ten, and two of the four completed in top five. Team captain c/LTJG Briceon Ozley felt this was a great success. 

16 September 2023: From 0700 to 1200, 20 cadets volunteered to assist Cross Country Coach Alan Hendrick in the Upson-Lee Invitational by heading up the traffic and parking details. Five high school and three middle school teams attended. There were a total of 123 runners, not including their parents and spectators. For over 4 hours, multiple cadets were on their feet making sure runners and visitors were safe throughout the course. 

15 September 2023: During school hours, 24 cadets made a trip to Columbus in order to visit the Army’s National Infantry Museum. They viewed many of the 70,000 artifacts that the museum has preserved to honor the fallen and the serving. Through modern technology, the young cadets learned more of the Army’s branch, and can now bring the knowledge back to the program.

9 September 2023: Second Adopt-A-Highway in the books! 30 cadets once again walked alongside Highway 74 picking up trash that filled out multiple garbage bags. 

26 August 2023: The program hosted it's annual Chili's Donation Only Car Wash! 18 cadets showed up to help, and about 30 vehicles were washed in four hours.

19 August 2023: Our first Adopt-A-Highway was a huge success! 39 cadets showed up and helped keep the community clean by walking down Highway 74 and picking up trash. 

12 August 2023: Eight cadets helped wash cars with Rock Hill Fire Department to raise funds for Thomaston natives, Logan Gordy and Trista Cheeks. The two firefighters were involved in an accident when they were responding to a call and their fire engine rolled. The Upson-Lee cadets were more than happy to help support the couple and their families as we hope for a safe recovery.

17-20 July 2023: The program hosted its Freshman Orientation, bringing in 13 new cadets. This evolution was instructed by Naval Science Instructors Chief Kendall and Petty Officer Bert, and assisted by eleven experienced and senior cadets. 

18 July 2023: The Upson-Lee NJROTC Rifle precision rifle met with the Kiwanis Club members. Rifle coach Chief Petty Officer Kendall described the team in hopes that the club with sponsor and support our team!

8-9 July 2023: The Upson-Lee NJROTC Senior Color Guard participated in opening ceremonies at the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 250 and Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The unit also welcomes new Naval Science Instructor Petty Officer First Class Marvin Bert. 

11-17 June 2023: Cadets James Mayer, Maia Brown, Leland Bergmeier, Ryan Anglin, and Michael Valliere attended and graduated Leadership Academy hosted by Riverside Military Academy. Company Commanding Officer Emily Goggins graduated as a cadre (specialty trainer) with the cadets. Outstanding job to these six!

2 May 2023: The Upson-Lee NJROTC program hosted its awards night and celebrated graduating seniors. The Changing of the Command honors were conducted as Cadet Commander Kinsley Riggins was relieved by Cadet Lieutenant Commander Emily Goggins. 

23-26 April 2023: 24 cadets joined Naval Science Instructor Petty Officer Meyerriecks on the annual End of Year trip. This year the cadets went to Pensacola, Florida and visited sites like the USS Alabama and the USS Drum.

11 March 2023: 40 cadets participated in the monthly Adopt-A-Highway to clean up trash from Highway 74.

5 March 2023: The Orienteering team competed in the Joe Kurz Orienteering meet in Gay, Georgia.

2 March 2023: A group of cadets had the opportunity to tour Gordon State College in Barnesville.

22 February 2023: The GHSA Rifle team competed and won the Area 1 Championships.

10 February 2023: A group of cadets travelled to the Warner Robins Air Force Museum for a tour of the facility. They were able to walk around, stop in the gift shop and even participate in the virtual reality!

4 February 2023: The NJROTC Academic team travelled to Hillgrove to compete in the Hillgrove Brain Brawl.

1-5 February 2023: The Precision Rifle team flew to Salt Lake City, Utah to compete in the Navy National Championship. The team took second place overall, and three members finished in the top ten. Cadet Bailey Lifsey finished in fifth place, cadet William Lane finished in eighth and cadet Kinsley Riggins finished is ninth. Kinsey Mayer finished in 18th place. Go UL!

7 January 2023: The rifle team competed in the 2023 Area 12 Championship. The precision team took second place overall, and sporter team A took fifth. Cadets Will Lane and Bailey Lifsey placed in the top eight in the precision category, and cadet James Mayer was a finalist in the sporter category. 

2022

10 December 2022: The ULHS rifle teams travelled to Anniston to compete in the Jefferson STS. The precision team took first place overall.

3 December 2022: The precision rifle team travelled to Anniston, Alabama to compete in the Gary Anderson Invitational.

12 November 2022: The NJROTC unit hosted their annual Knight Class STS rifle match. The precision team finished in second place overall. 

2 November 2022: The ULHS NJROTC unit conducted their annual Area Manager's Inspection and received an overall grade of above average.

22 October 2022: The precision and sporter rifle teams traveled to South Effingham to compete in their first match of the season. The precision team, finishing in second place overall, qualified for the Area 12 Championship, and the sporter team finished in fifth place.

15 October 2022: The unit celebrated the Navy's birthday by hosting the annual Navy Ball at Oak Hill Farms in The Rock, GA. C/LCDR Riggins gave a welcome to the cadets and guests, and ceremonies, such as the singing of Anchors Aweigh, were conducted.

6 October 2022: Cadets Kinsley Riggins, Kinsey Mayer, William Lane and Bailey Lifsey presented the colors at the 2022 NRA Banquet in Griffin.

22-23 September: The ULHS NJROTC led the annual Homecoming Parade around Thomaston's downtown area. Then, some cadets participated in the sword arch, as well as escorting the Homecoming Court down the 50-yard line.

27 August 2022: The ULHS NJROTC unit held a car wash at Chili's for the first time since Covid-19.

16 August 2022: The unit's upper staff conducted a New Cadet Open House for parents to visit our space and learn more about our program.

2 August 2022: The Upson-Lee NJROTC welcomed the new cadets on the first day of school.

11-14 July 2022: Upson-Lee NJROTC hosted the New Cadet Orientation Camp where new cadets learned basic drill, naval knowledge and proper uniform wear. 

9-10 July 2022: Upson-Lee NJROTC cadets presented the colors at the Xfinity and Quaker State 400 races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

25 June 2022: Cadets Elizabeth Leonard and Emily Goggins graduated from Area 12 Leadership Academy held at Georgia Military College.

26 May: School's Out! Happy Summer!!

3 May 2022: The Upson-Lee NJROTC unit conducted its annual awards night on Tuesday night. Several cadets received prestigious awards, along with seniors receiving their stoles. 

27-30 April 2022: Selected NJROTC cadets went on the annual end of year trip to Naval Station Mayport. The cadets also toured Naval Air Station Jacksonville, along with visiting St. Augustine. See more in the Photos/Videos tab!

11 March 2022: The Upson-Lee NJROTC program conducted classes in rocketry and each cadet was able to build and launch their own model rockets.

25 February 2022: Cadets visited the Warner Robins Air Force Museum where they were allowed to view planes used within the force and information related to the history of the base. 

22 January 2022: The Upson-Lee NJROTC Rifle team competed at the Area Manager 12 championships held in Anniston, AL.  The precision team finished second place overall with Cadet Kinsley Riggins taking 1st place as an individual and Cadet Kaylin Rogers taking 3rd place individual. Congratulations!

21 January 2022: Cadets visited Columbus State University where they were given a brief on opportunities in the U.S. Army ROTC program and toured the campus including classrooms and dormitories. See photos on the "Photos/Videos" page!

15 January 2022: The Knight Battalion performed community service along Highway 74 between Knight Trail and the Upson-Lee Middle School as part of the "Adopt a Hwy" program.  See photos on the "Photos/Videos" page!

8 January 2022: The precision air rifle team travelled to Anniston, AL and earned a first place at the Warhawk shoulder-to shoulder air rifle meet. Congrats!

2021

18 December 2021: The air rifle team travelled to Anniston, AL once again to compete in a navy-sanctioned rifle meet hosted by Jefferson High School.  The precision team finished in second place while the sporter team took overall 5th place!

4 December 2021: The NJROTC air rifle team travelled to Anniston, AL to compete in the Gary Anderson shoulder-to-shoulder rifle meet.

4 Dec 2021: Cadets donned holiday gear for the adopt-a-highway clean-up along Hwy 74. See photos on the "Photos/Videos" page!

25 November 2021:  Community service provided by the Knight Battalion to Mountain View Baptist Church with their annual "Families Feeding Families" program which provides food for needy families in the local area.

21 November 2021:  The orienteering team travelled to Chattahoochee Bend State Park to participate in the event sponsored by the Georgia Orienteering Club. Training was held for some new cadets. See photos on the "Photos/Videos" page!

18 November 2021: The Knight Battalion participated in the Thomaston-Upson County Schools "Family Engagement Night" held at the high school.  Cadets had a static display table and assisted with parking.

13 November 2021: The Knight Battalion Air Rifle Team hosted the annual "Knight Classic" shoulder to shoulder (STS) rifle meet at the Old Mill Range in Griffin, GA.  The precision team took 2nd place overall while the sporter team earned a 3rd place overall.  See photos on the "Photos/Videos" page!

12 November 2021:  Selected cadets travelled to Columbus, GA  to observe "Rangers in Action" graduation exercises held at Fort Benning.