Senior Cayla Wade is this year’s first Corps Commander for the WTHS AFJROTC program. Corps Commander in AFJROTC is the highest position cadets can reach in the programs, with only three students being appointed each year. Through her hard work and dedication Wade has accomplished this goal.

Wade has been in the program for four years. She joined her freshman year with a goal to become the best version of herself she could be.

“Before high school I needed more discipline and wanted to take on more responsibility, and decided ROTC was where I needed to be,” Wade stated.

She became heavily involved with every aspect of the program, working events and joining the drill team. The drill team is an extension of JROTC and in Wade’s words “is when a commander takes a squad or wing under their wing, and teaches them how to do basic movements and marching.”

Wade was appointed as Freshman Commander for the Drill team as a first-year cadet and soon went on to become the Drill Commander as a junior, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Camryn, who was in the program and held the position of Drill Commander and Corps Commander before graduating in 2019. Wade become fascinated with the program while attending her sister’s drill competitions before she even entered high school.

After graduation Wade plans to join the U.S. Marine Corps. “Being a Marine is about taking pride in wearing the uniform and giving back to your country; I feel like ROTC is a good program to prepare me for that next step.”

Being a leader and being confronted with a good challenge is important for Wade, as she wants to push herself to be the best version of herself.

Wade is excited for the upcoming year as she makes the most out of this recent appointment. It is clear that Wade has worked hard during her four years in the AFJROTC program, making her a cadet worthy of the Corps Commander title.