The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

Zephyrhills High ushers in a brand-new look

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Like many in this small town, it’s a longtime resident.

Zephyrhills High School.

The second-oldest school in Pasco County recently celebrated the end of a two-year, $33-million renovation.

The $33-million renovation at Zephyrhills High included adding a two-story, 17-classroom building, increasing the school’s capacity to about 1,950 students. (Mike Camunas)

Now, the school is practically unrecognizable to even deeply-rooted alumni and members of the community.

“My parents went here,” said senior athlete and student council vice president Kamil Mehrab.

He remembers how the school looked, not only since arriving there as a freshman, but from his growing-up years, near the school.

Long-timers reminisce about what it used to look like and are just like, ‘Nothing’s there anymore’, he said.

Overall, the campus remains the same — but it has been updated, relocated or improved, and in some cases, there have been additions.

The main entrance, for example, has changed drastically. The School Resource Officer’s office has been moved. And, the school’s massive trophy case now is in the main commons area — creating a visually stunning display.

“The eye is really drawn to that right away,” said principal Dr. Christina Stanley, in her third year at the school’s helm.

Zephyrhills High underwent a two-year, $33-million renovation, which included redesigning the common area to make it more spacious and to provide a prominent location for the school’s massive trophy case.

“And this city — it loves this school. Many of the residents and community leaders are deeply invested in it because many of them either went here, too, or their children now go here.

“And there’s been a lot of feedback in the form of questions of where everything is now or how it can look so different. Once they get over that and realize just how great everything is and its importance, they fall in love with it all over again,” the principal said.

The high school also added a new two-story, 17-classroom building, bringing its capacity to about 1,950 students.

The media center was remodeled, too. It now features small group conference rooms, circulation desks, flat-screen technology, and numerous outlets.

It has the feel of a university’s collaborative space.

“It’s all state-of-the-art,” Mehrab said. “It definitely doesn’t look like a high school because it’s so sleek and modern, but it’s very impressive, too.”

A redesign of the media center was part of the $33-million renovation at Zephyrhills High.

The classrooms and school have been equipped with enhanced safety measures to meet requirements in a “post-Parkland era,” Stanley said.

It also offers career and technical education opportunities.

The school’s criminal justice program features a 911 communications center, while the health occupation classroom resembles a hospital wing, equipped with multiple beds, sinks and curtains.

The school’s science, agriculture and building construction technology programs now have enlarged spaces for better hands-on learning, and the JROTC program has an indoor firing range in a classroom that includes a large garage door for easy trailer access.

Other improvements include a larger cafeteria area, additional restrooms, upgrades to the commons area, and an updated teacher’s lounge and administration suites.

Tampa-based Peter Hepner Architects and Clearwater-based Creative Contractors completed the project. They took feedback from staff and administration, and incorporated many suggestions into the plans.

“They gave me everything,” said Cat Burgess, a longtime fine arts teacher. “I asked for electric to come from the ceiling, and they came back and did that. I made out great, and with much more space. It’s so great that we were able to get this kind of update to everything.”

Buildings also were overhauled with a new air conditioning system, fire sprinkler system and energy-efficient LED lighting.

Plus, Stanley said, “there’s new windows everywhere letting in more light.

“I even have one in my office now.”

One difference, though, raised eyebrows of alumni, students, staff and community residents, alike.

“Where is Gus?!” they wanted to know.

There’s no need to worry: The school’s 500-pound brass bulldog, donated by Fred Gore from the Class of 1948, isn’t missing or gone.

Gus has just been moved.

He used to stand in the commons area: Now, he’s in the gym lobby.

Principal Stanley had this message for the Zephyrhills High faithful: “Gus isn’t going anywhere — he’s staying right here.

“We just need to find the right spot for him,” Stanley said with a laugh. “Gus is family.”

Published March 13, 2022

Teen girl band rocks better than the boys

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These girls just want to have fun.

And rock out.

Boycott band members, front row from left: Julia L. (guitar), Megan G. (vocals), Lea T. (drums), Chloe T (keyboard) and, back row, from left to right: Lilli G. (bass) and Isla T. (guitar) are an all-teen girl band that was formed at Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood and played the Gasparilla Music Fest on Feb. 27. (Mike Camunas)

Meet Boycott — a six-member teenage girl band that practices out of Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood. Boycott consists of Megan G, the lead singer; Julia L. and Isla T., both on guitar; Chloe T., who pounds away on the keyboard; Lilli G, who slaps the bass; and, of course, Lea T., the band’s energetic drummer.

These teens, all of whom live in Lutz and Carrollwood, are arguably one of the hottest acts in the area. That’s because they just played their biggest gig to date — and nailed it. On the third day of Gasparilla Music Fest (GMF), Boycott belted out songs, wowed the crowd and now is in hot demand to play everywhere.
“It was such an awesome opportunity,” Megan said. “We had never played to a crowd that big before and it was incredible to do so.”

“It was a lot of energy,” Julia said. “At our other shows, since we open, we don’t have a lot of people there, but since we went on later, people were recognizing us after the show and it was just surreal.”

Boycott played the Gasparilla Music Fest on Feb. 27, belting their cover songs to an enthusiastic crowd. Since then, the band is getting more gig requests. (Courtesy of Rebecca Gast)

“Before we went on stage,” Lea added, “we just kind of looked at each other and pep talked each other, but also had a lot of fun before we got on stage, so once we did get on stage, we were (calm enough) to just start playing.”

Despite being fairly inexperienced performing live — the band, however, has played small shows at local water holes such as PJ Dolan’s and Tom’s Tavern — Boycott was able to book GMF as one of two all-female bands in the lineup, however, the only teenaged one.

“We didn’t have much of a presence — we had only played about five gigs up to that point,” said Chambers, Boycott’s manager and founder. “It just took a tough pitch to get them on the ticket. … And, yeah, they were jumping out of their skulls (with nerves), but they were incredible and now they have been asked to play everywhere.”

“When you play these bigger shows,” Isla said, “everyone knows about these shows — everyone knows about the Gasparilla Music Fest, so they’re coming out to see everyone play and that’s just awesome to play a big show in Tampa, one of the hottest places in the state.”

Boycott band members, from left to right: Julia L., Lea T., Megan G. and Isla T., practice at Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood. (Mike Camunas)

Like many local bands, especially ones as new as Boycott, the young girls perform cover songs, including such hits as “Ex’s and Oh’s” by Ellie King and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. Other artists the band covers are Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, however, Chambers had been trying to keep this a secret: the girls will soon collaborate on a song for the band’s very first single.

“Well, we’re starting soon!” Chloe exclaimed. “Once Julia writes the music, we’ll start working on the lyrics, but we’re excited to do that.”
“We’re kind of relying on Megan and Chloe to write the words,” Julia added.

“Yeah, but they’ll get it done,” Lilli continued. “We know they will — but I think it’s funny that we perform at taverns!”

“Yeah!” Isla exclaimed. “We perform at bars and taverns, and we’re too young to drink!” (Entire band laughs).

As anyone can see, the band’s chemistry is the absolute right mix of talent and respect — and sense of humor — with one another, and Chambers said once he got all the girls together through the Music Box’s afterschool and summer programs, and playing, everything just seemed to dial right up to 11.

“It was absolutely immediate,” the three-time Grammy award winner said. “You can just see how much they get along, how much they have fun, how much they like each other and playing together.”

Published March 13, 2022

Boycott drummer Lea T. bangs away on her kit during practice at Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood. (Mike Camunas)
Boycott lead singer Megan G. performs a song during practice at Jim Chambers Music Box in Carrollwood.

These esports athletes are ‘controlling’

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Down, right, up, left and then hit the X.

Those aren’t the directions to Saint Leo’s Esports Arena on its St. Leo campus. Rather, quite possibly, the moves are the sequence of controller buttons pounded away by a member of the Lions’ Esports varsity team.

Saint Leo University Esports Team volunteer Demi Santamaria adjusts the casting microphones, as part of her video production duties at the team’s Esports Arena on campus that opened last March. (Mike Camunas)

“It’s more than just playing video games,” Saint Leo University senior and team captain Caleb Hunt said. “It’s strategy and competition, and being teammates. A lot more goes into it than just playing the game.”

The Saint Leo University Esports Team isn’t just some club either. It’s a college-funded and sponsored competitive intercollegiate team, just not under the NCAA, said Dr. Jen Shaw, vice president of Student Affairs.

“Our other teams in this category are Sporting Clays Team, GoldRush Dance Team and Cheerleading Team,” she said.

“The popularity of esports is rapidly growing across the nation, and I think this is just a great opportunity for Saint Leo’s students to compete and have fun,” University President Jeffrey Senese added. “It’s also a great way to showcase Saint Leo’s computer science and cybersecurity programs.”

Saint Leo University seniors and members of the Lions Esports team Gabi Rodriguez, left, and Caleb Hunt react to a video game while broadcasting at the team’s Esports Arena, at the college campus.

The Lions compete in the NACE (National Association of Collegiate Esports) and also are a part of CLoL, which is Collegiate League of Legends, one of the five games the team plays in competition. (The other four are Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Overwatch, Rocker League and Valorant).

With 30-plus players, the team recently celebrated the first anniversary of its Esports Arena opening. And, believe it or not, having a “tech-y” major isn’t a prerequisite to be on the team.

“We actually have a couple of English majors on the team,” said senior Pedro Quintao, who is the team’s student coach and IT guru. “Actually, we have a lot of psych majors, too. We might actually have every major this school offers, so really you just have to be good at the games and a team player.”

Saint Leo University senior and Esports Team student coach Pedro Quintao plays a round of Super Smash Brothers next to a whiteboard, which lists facets of the team’s strategies and reminders of upcoming events.

Another major aspect is casting the gameplay, mainly on the popular gaming one, Twitch. The Lions’ Esports Team has a casting station that they use to show the gameplay and have commentary on the match, just like watching a sporting match on TV.

“That’s why it’s not just about playing the games,” said Gabi Rodriguez, a senior from Peru, majoring in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and one of the team’s casters. “Not only do we teach how to become (a gaming) pro, we teach them how to cast — how to talk about the game and to apply themselves in the esports scene because they might not want to be a pro player, but still part of esports.”

Saint Leo University Esports Team coach Bovey Zhang manages a coed squad of about 30 video gamers that compete among 12 collegiate Esports teams in Florida.

Esports is one of the most rapidly growing sports and revenue is predicted to surpass $2.5 billion in 2022. This is one of the many reasons more and more colleges are getting esports teams. There are 12 in Florida — USF, Florida Southern, and Rollins, to name a few.

“We’ve been hitting some top victories with (our best) game: League of Legends,” the team’s coach, Bovey Zhang, said. “We beat Texas A&M and Saint Mary’s, and we’re hosting a Smash Mouth Match on March 26.”

While there is hard work with practice and strategizing involved, there’s also fun and games, while gaming. The team also is building the Saint Leo campus, block by block, with incredible detail, on Minecraft.

That’s during the players’ downtime. Then it’s back to the whiteboard, with X’s and O’s.

Just like the buttons on their controllers.

“What people don’t realize about esports,” Zhang said, “is that it isn’t just one game. As a coach and manager, I’m coaching five different games. That’s a big workload, so you have to time and balance everything. We have to still strategize — we’re always practicing, we’re always playing and so we’re always trying to do different things. It is a lot of collaborative work, a lot of working together.

“But there’s a lot of interest in esports, and that’s a start.”

Published March 13, 2022

Wrestling awards

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The 2021-2022 Western Conference Wrestling awards were announced earlier this month, with several Hillsborough County athletes nabbing honors. In the American Division, six Steinbrenner High School wrestlers received first class honors. Joey Vitale (113), Daniel Bush (120), Red Noble (132), Frank Diaz (138), Christian Santana (145) and Colin Bernstein (220) helped lead the Warriors to a second-round berth in the 3A FHSAA Dual Team Wrestling Tournament in January. In the National Division, Freedom High’s Randall Watson (132), and Wharton High’s Nathan Patrick (138) and Jarquez Knight (160) also made First Team.

Outstanding students, coaches honored

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Here are the high school students and coaches honored in the East Division of the 2021-2022 Sunshine Athletic Conference Awards, for this school year’s winter season:

Boys Soccer
Offensive Player of the Year: Mick Stauffer, Sunlake
Defensive Player of the Year: Colin Bailey, Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: John Soellner, Zephyrhills

Girls Soccer
Offensive Player of the Year: Teresa Rodriguez, Land O’ Lakes
Defensive Player of the Year: Kayla Ojeda, Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: Mark Leonard, Wesley Chapel

Wrestling
Wrestler of the Year: Cassidy Grubbs, Pasco
Coach of the Year: Eddie Marley, Land O’ Lakes

Boys Basketball
Player of the Year: Josh Martin, Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: Jeremy Calzone, Wiregrass Ranch

Girls Basketball
Player of the Year: Emari Lewis, Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Phyllis Crain, Cypress Creek

Cheerleading
Cheerleader of the Year: Kylie Weiser, Pasco
Coach of the Year: Dawn Wetherby, Pasco

Girls Weightlifting
Snatch Lifter of the Year: Andje Costa, Cypress Creek
Traditional Lifter of the Year: Samantha Tapanes, Sunlake

Bargain hunters find deals, and help woman’s club’s efforts

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The rush to shop came early. The thrill of finding a hidden treasure among used items knew no alarm clock.

GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club member Barbara Booth packs up some purchased items during the group’s community flea market that was held over the weekend in front of the Lutz Branch Library. (Mike Camunas)

“I was like,” GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club chairwoman Kay Taylor exclaimed, “‘It’s not like its Black Friday!’”

While it was a Friday, Taylor and her fellow GFWC members were a little surprised to see such an initial rush at the start of their annual flea market the group held over the weekend in front of the Lutz Branch Library. However, that feeling turned to happiness with the turnout from the local communities who visited the booths set up to sell their used items.

“All of our ladies brought in their stuff (to sell), and we only had one drop-off from a church this year,” Taylor said. “It was just amazing how the community stepped up and helped us.”

Shopper Kelly Larochelle, of Lutz, does some shopping with her son, Landon, during the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club flea market the group held over the weekend in front of the Lutz Branch Library.

Like any other event or organization, COVID affected the GFWC club. Not only did membership decline to under 100 people, but Taylor said the group was unable to hold the flea market for some time. The group also had to move from its usual location — from the Old Lutz School building, where the booths could be in the classrooms — and then hold it outside with (luckily) favorable weather.

“The county only allows 10 people in a building at a time,” Taylor said, “so this allowed us to have a big open-air event and welcome all the people who were eager to get out here.”

GFWC members, donning their iconic green shirts, set up booths that were selling all kinds of items from clothes to jewelry to furniture to homewares — and slightly used items that made it look like an antique-store tent town.

Taylor estimates the GFWC, which was founded in 1960, will raise somewhere between $5,000 to $10,000.

The flea market is one of two major fundraisers the group hosts annually, the other being the arts and crafts fair around Christmas. The funds raised during those two events not only go to supporting the other philanthropic endeavors the GFWC club takes on, but also toward the scholarships they award to local high school students in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

“We’ll go to the homeless shelters and the nursing homes and help out Meals on Wheels,” Taylor said. “We have the laundromat program where we put books in the laundromats in needy areas. We help out with domestic violence organizations and we’re really big into recycling, as well, so as part of the largest women’s volunteer organization, we’re just trying to do our part.”

Published March 09, 2022

GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club member Beth Nevel-Rader hands over plates with a smile during the group’s community flea market that was held over the weekend in front of the Lutz Branch Library.
GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club members Marsha Gibson, left, and Renate Mast, go through some items during the group’s community flea market that was held over the weekend in front of the Lutz Branch Library.

Girls soccer competes at states

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The Land O’Lakes High School Gators girls soccer team in February advanced to the state tournament by winning the Class 6A-Region 3 tournament, and capping a season noted with balanced play and nail-biting wins.

The Land O’ Lakes High School girls soccer team celebrated winning the Class 6A-Region 3 tournament with a resounding 4-0 win over nearby Wharton on Feb. 15, which advanced the Gators (13-8-1) to the program’s eighth state tournament appearance. (Courtesy of Vicky King)

“We were off to a rocky start — close to .500 the whole season,” said longtime coach Vicky King, who just finished up her 35th season at the Gators’ helm. “But after playing Sunlake in December, we played only playoff teams after that. We play a tough schedule to prepare for districts and we peaked at the right time.”

The Gators extended its season by winning the 6A-9 district title — its third-straight — with a shootout win over nearby rival Sunlake, on Feb. 1, with Land O’ Lakes winning 5-4 on penalty kicks. Then, in the first round of the regional tournament, the Gators narrowly beat Fort Myers Riverdale, 1-0, thanks to a late goal by sophomore Eve Garrett, who was one of three players that led the team with 11 goals.

“We had a lot of confidence in each other,” King said. “We became a very balanced team and didn’t depend on one individual.”

And while Garrett would add a goal in the Gators’ second-round win over Wiregrass Ranch, both the other two leading scorers — senior Teresa Rodriguez and junior Jordyn Keene — added goals.

Keene and Rodriguez would both score again in the Gators 4-0 win over Wharton that propelled the team to its third-straight final four appearance. However, the team’s season came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Miami Lourdes Academy on Feb. 18. Still, King was proud of how her team performed in what was predicted to be a rebuilding season.

“We were a highly inexperienced team coming in after losing seven starters, but they earned everything they got this season and really wanted to win, and did almost every step of the way,” King said.

Little League season begins

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(Courtesy of Monica Woods)

Opening-day festivities for Land O’ Lakes Little League attracted more than 500 players and their families. It kicked off the 2022 season on Feb. 19, with an event featuring food trucks, barbecue, bounce houses and entertainment. Games commenced at the Little League fields at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, at 3032 Collier Parkway. The season runs through April with games on Saturdays. Aiden Royal, a senior on the Land O’ Lakes High baseball team, threw the ceremonial first pitch, which was caught by Mason Pahlck, a fourth-grader at Connerton Elementary.

Dade City golfer readies for professional tour

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Bailey Shoemaker’s first set of golf clubs was plastic.

“I’ve been playing since I could walk,” the 17-year-old amateur golfer said.

“I played in my first tournament when I was about 7, and I just wanted to keep playing ever since I was old enough to play.”

Bob Shoemaker — her dad, who also happens to be her caddie — agrees with his daughter’s recollections.

Dade City resident and amateur junior golfer Bailey Shoemaker hits a shot at Lake Jovita Golf Course during a three-day tournament hosted by the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour. (Mike Camunas)

“By the time she could talk,” he reminisced, “Bailey would be asking, ‘When are we going to the course? When are we going to the range?’”

Besides being eager to get out on the course, she was easy to teach.

“I never forced it on her and — it didn’t come naturally, because she worked hard at it, but she was always good and has always enjoyed it,” the caddie said.

Enjoyment has led to success, too.

On March 1 through March 3, Bailey competed in the Lake Jovita Women’s Championship hosted by the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour (ECWPGT).

She tied for eighth place, shooting a 4-over par on her home course.

Dade City resident and amateur junior golfer Bailey Shoemaker speaks with her dad, Bob, who caddied for her during a three-day tournament hosted by the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Lake Jovita Golf Course.

“I’ve been wanting to get on this tour for a while,” Bailey said. “It’s a good first one to have, too, on your home course.”

“Nice to sleep in your own bed at night, too,” Bob said, with a laugh.

Although she had hoped for a stronger finish, this event is just one of many she’ll be playing during her junior season.

After that, Bailey, who is an online student, will begin her senior year. She committed to play women’s collegiate golf for the University of Southern California.

The ECWPGT is a professional golf tour for young women who are in high school, in college or recent graduates from collegiate golf.

The tour was rebranded from the National Women’s Golf Association.

Its new owner, Mark Berman, a 25-year golf industry veteran, has worked for the PGA TOUR, the World Golf Foundation and the World Golf Hall of Fame.

He has turned the tournament into a competitive stepping stone for women golfers to make the Epson Tour — the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA — and, of course, the LPGA.

Bailey Shoemaker, an amateur golfer from Dade City, signs her scorecard after playing in a three-day tournament hosted by the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour at Lake Jovita Golf Course. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

“(The ECWPGT) helps her even more to prepare for college golf,” her dad said.

“Out here are either college golfers or golfers who just graduated, and it’s really helpful to play this and prepare for other tournaments.

“We’re always trying to make sure she’s playing up as much as possible because out here the competition is going to be deeper and stronger and better than your average amateur tour,” he said.

“It’s great preparation,” added Bailey, who carries a 6.5 handicap.

She added that it’s a great competition, giving her the chance to go up against golfers she hadn’t seen in a while and some that she’d never played.

“It’s really just an all-around great event,” Bailey said.

The tournament is more than just playing competitive rounds, it’s set up to prepare the young women golfers with an atmosphere of professional events.

“It’s great that everyone is encouraging us (young women) to get out and play,” said Bailey, whose golf career highlight so far is an ace that came during the Stacy Lewis Invitational at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

“I know when I started golfing, just after I was born, that’s when women’s golf really started to boom and then the women (golfers) started to get longer and longer (on shots). Now, with each generation, you keep seeing everyone getting better and better.”

The ECWPGT looks to create more and better playing opportunities for aspiring LGPA players.

It’s a tour aimed at emboldening the next generation of talented women golfers.

Like Bailey.

Published on March 09, 2022

Event honors flags, vets

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A fire burned at Oakside Cemetery — its flames stoked with respect and honor.

Its tinder: an American Flag.

The Zephyrhills High JROTC retired dozens of flags by burning them, in a ceremony that included an Honor Guard and Saber Arch, and an atmosphere filled with reverence.

The Zephyrhills High JROTC color guard presents the flags during the squad’s Project Patriotism at Oakside Cemetery, 5301 First St., in Zephyrhills. (Mike Camunas)

The flag ceremony was part of Project Patriotism. The 35 cadets taking part also cleaned hundreds of headstones marking the final resting spots of veterans buried in the cemetery.

The service and learning project is held each year to teach the cadets organizational skills, to foster community outreach, and to help them understand the benefits of volunteerism.

After the ceremony, Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. James Laferriere said:

“For us all being in high school, I thought everything went really well. With JROTC, we have a whole lesson on how to properly fold and handle flags, as well as properly retire flags.

“This (project) allows us to practice those methods and allows us to actively participate in our community,” said Laferriere, who is one of the few seniors in the squad.

The JROTC started Project Patriotism six years ago and it has evolved every year.

Zephyrhills High JROTC senior, Cadet Command Sgt. Major James Laferriere, stands at attention, with fellow cadets at Project Patriotism, in Oakside Cemetery.

Last year, the squad cleaned the grave markers for the first time.

Over the years, the ceremony has grown and more flags have been retired.

There are five units in this JROTC squad — Alpha, Beta, Charlie, Delta and Echo — and each is assigned a different duty.

Some go out into the community to seek donations of flags to be retired.

Others meet with officials from the City of Zephyrhills seeking money to support the event.

This year, the city donated about $600 that was spent on cleaning supplies, meals and transportation.

“The city really came through for us,” said retired First Sgt. Jimmy McAuley, who leads the JROTC.

His daughter, Sgt. First Class Jasmine McAuley, is a sophomore at Zephyrhills High.

“The community knows about it, but the cadets go out and go to homes to ask for flags, and then come up with the ceremony and go to the city, so everyone has a job to do and they did a great job,” the JROTC leader said.

“It’s a humbling experience,” Laferriere added, “but we’re honored to do it.”

Zephyrhills High JROTC sophomore, Sgt. Andrew Fraley, scrubs the gravestone of a veteran who was laid to rest at Oakside Cemetery. Fraley’s efforts were part of his squad’s Project Patriotism.

The ceremony commenced with the Honor Guard walking through a Saber Arch and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

After that, several cadets, some in dress uniforms and others in fatigues, lined up and placed a retired flag into the fire.

Following that, several young cadets removed the top of their fatigues and fanned out into the cemetery, searching for the grave markers of veterans.

When they found one, they’d salute the veteran and then get down on their hands and needs with buckets of soapy water and brushes to clean away grime from the headstones.

“The ceremony, to me,” said Capt. Aiden Macumber, who led the ceremony, “is a way to honor those who have served.

“It means a lot, to me, because I had a lot of family members who were in the military. This is an annual tradition for our battalion, and I’m very honored to be in charge of this event.”

The act of cleaning the gravestones, he said, demonstrates that the cadets still care about the veterans, no matter how long they have been buried in the cemetery.

“We’re coming in here to make sure the (headstones) still look good, and it’s a great honor, in my opinion, because it’s how we say, ‘Hey, we still remember you, we’ll still take care of you and, of course, thank you’,” he said.

Published March 02, 2022