Wagener-Salley ROTC color guard gets Clemson experience

Wagener-Salley High junior Dillon Overton was walking down the hallway at school Thursday, when a freshman stopped him and asked wistfully what he would have to do to join the Army ROTC color guard.

"It's nice to know we can inspire others," said color guard member Overton.

The four color guard members are quite popular at school this week. They posted the colors before Clemson's basketball game against Michigan Tuesday, but even better, they got to visit with the Tiger cheerleaders and get a photo taken with them. The picture is prominently displayed on a bulletin board at school.

The other three cadets are commander Deonte Williams, Daniel Porter and Purvis Blizzard. Michael Fowler, the unit's sergeant major, credited cadets Quantasia Ables and Keondra James for coordinating the trip.

"This was a big surprise," said Overton. "I had no idea that any of our staff cadets were organizing something on a grand scale."

The unit commander, retired Col. Maxie Joye, and Fowler established the Wagener-Salley ROTC program six years ago.

"This was a great opportunity for our color guard," Fowler said. "The place (Littlejohn Coliseum) holds 10,000 people, and it was nearly full."

None of the four cadets had been to Clemson before. It was particularly meaningful to Overton, who is considering applying there as an engineering major.

After the cadets arrived, they got a chance to practice on the court. The cheerleaders came by and were very kind and welcoming, Overton said, and were happy to join the cadets for a commemorative photo.

Shortly before 9 p.m., the courtside announcer said the presentation of colors would be done by the Wagener-Salley Army ROTC. Everything went off without a hitch.

"It's amazing and very humbling that four guys from such a small school could come to a place like Clemson," Overton said. "It was overwhelming and very encouraging to know we can reach out that far."

Fowler describes the color guard as the ambassadors for the ROTC unit through what they do.

"Of course, they also got to meet the cheerleaders," he said. "Now everybody wants to be on the color guard."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.