CLHS JROTC: 2006 Alumni

Samir Khatani (2006) Currently attending the University of Texas at Austin (2006) Currently attending the University of Texas at Austin
Clay Briggs (2006) Currently attending Texas A&M in the Corps of Cadets
Jessica Nelson (2006) Currently attending Texas A&M in the Corps of Cadets
Aneyla Beeson (2006) Currently attending Stephen F. Austin University
Joe Potts (2006) Currently active in the United States Marines
Penelope Aliwarga (2006) Currently attending Texas A&M in the Corps of Cadets
Dan Haussler (2006) Currently attending Texas A&M in the Corps of Cadets

Samir Khatani, Class of 2006: Present University: University of Texas at Austin, Class of 2006: Present University: University of Texas at Austin

My name is Samir Khatani, and I graduated from Clear Lake High School in 2006. I took part in JROTC my freshman, junior, and senior year of highschool, and had a great 3 years in the program. The greatest things I took from Clear Lake JROTC were amazing leadership skills, bearing and mannerisms I use almost every day, and most of all a sense of belonging with a great group of friends. I am now a longhorn at the University of Texas at Austin, and am studying molecular biology on route to become a doctor. I have two moments that come to mind as the best moments I have ever experienced in Clear Lake JROTC. For the CCISD Military Ball in 2006 which had the theme of The General's Farewell, Major Brown gave me a chance to be toastmaster, and I quickly said yes as I was completely shocked he would even ask me to do it.

There were more than a few cadets who were more worthy than me and deserved the chance to be toastmaster. I practiced over and over again until, finally the ball had arrived. I remember sweating pretty heavily and thinking about the chances of making a mistake on stage. Fortunately, the toasting went unbelievably well and completely mistake free. Even with no pictures of the event, I can still remember exactly how the day went step by step.

The second moment that sticks out was the CCISD corps day and how I was leading the Charlie company drill. The inspection went well, but I was more worried about the drill. The week before the event, I was really struggling with
calling cadence until Sgt. Turnage took me aside and said to be more confident and loud with the cadence and the rest will fall into place. So, we went out there. Everyone was really nervous, yet excited about our chance to go out
their and show everyone what we got. I called cadence as well as I ever have thinking I may have rushed it a litte, but we had no problems and walked off the floor thinking we did decent at the least. About an hour later, all the cadets were congratulating our company on winning best company drill. It was honestly one of the greatest achievements I have ever been a part of, and the cadets in Charlie company were just a fantastic group of guys to celebrate it with.

I still haven't found a group that is as together as Clear Lake JROTC. Everyone just knew each other so well, and the chemistry that we had built up over the years is just flat out unmatchable in relation to any other group or organization I have taken a part in over the last few years. I wish I could also put in to words how much Sgt. Turnage and Major Brown did. Other teachers would teach us things that we could put into play at the next level educationally, but Major Brown and Sgt. Turnage took it one step further and also got us ready for life. Some things they taught myself and others are just so valuable, and I can't thank them enough. This program is just amazing, and one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. I don't think about high school much, but if I do, Clear Lake JROTC is one of the first things that comes to mind, and I fall into a cloud of memories.

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