As Schofield Middle School eighth-graders three years ago, Cassia Larson and Samantha Maddox were sitting together as they watched a presentation by a group of cadets from Aiken High School's Naval Junior ROTC program.
The girls realized they had found something that could be beneficial. Of course, they didn't anticipate that Larson would be chosen as the commanding officer and Maddox as the executive officer during a Change of Command ceremony on Friday.
"I was really excited about the entire thing, but I didn't expect this," Larson said of her new rank. "It's really an honor about moving up."
Maddox joined Naval Junior's athletic and academic teams and got to travel to a national rifle team competition.
"The more involved I got, the more I loved it," Maddox said. "Now Cassia and I are sitting together again. It's amazing what can happen in three years."
In announcing the incoming officers, Cmdr. Tony Negron praised the dedication shown by Larson and Maddox.
"Their leadership qualities are strong," Negron said. "They are assertive, quick-thinking and very self-assured as demonstrated by their success as platoon commanders."
Larson can see problems and fix them, Negron said. He and retiring Senior Chief Bruce Bryant believe she will serve the battalion as have other commanding officers before her. Maddox will bring a caring attitude and sense of compassion for the other cadets.
The current officers "have been standout cadets..." Negron said. "Under their leadership, this battalion met every task assigned and did so in exemplary fashion."
In a formal ceremony, outgoing Commanding Officer Phillip Merry and Executive Officer Ray Moister welcomed their successors.
Other new top officers are: Kaitlan Hozey, operations officer; Kyson Weathersbee, weapons officer; Timothy Nelson, supply officer; Bryson Hickson, battalion chaplain; and Christina Chavis, public affairs officer.
Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001. He is a native of Walterboro and majored in journalism at the University of Georgia.