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GMC Prep School Raiders Secure Victory at Bulldog Invitational Raider Challenge, Set Sights on Nationals

GMC Raiders Shine at Bulldog Invitational 

  The GMC Raiders have once again proven their dominance in Army athletics, delivering a standout performance at the 2024 Bulldog Invitational Raider Challenge on October 12th. Hosted at Georgia Military College (GMC) Prep School, the event served as the Georgia Area 12 state qualifier, bringing together 35 JROTC Raider teams from across the state to compete in five physically demanding events: the 2.6-mile run, rope bridge construction, cross-country rescue, gauntlet obstacle course, and the Raider Fitness Challenge.


The GMC Raiders showcased exceptional skill and teamwork as GMC Prep’s Mixed Team A secured 1st place, while Mixed Team B earned an impressive 3rd place in a highly competitive field. Both teams have now qualified to compete at the National JROTC Raider Championship , continuing the school’s legacy of excellence in JROTC sports. 


Under coach MAJ Robert T VanDine , GMC Prep’s Mixed Team A took home 1st place overall, while Mixed Team B earned an impressive 3rd place in a highly competitive field. These results secured their advancement to the National JROTC Raider Championship, where they will compete against top teams from across the country.   

Leadership and Commitment to Army Athletics 


“We are incredibly proud of our GMC Raiders and their remarkable performance at this year’s Bulldog Invitational,” said GMC President Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV (Ret.). “Their dedication, resilience, and teamwork reflect the best of what our Army athletics program stands for. We are excited to see them represent Georgia Military College on the national stage once again.” 


2023 National Title and Scholarship Success 


This victory comes on the heels of a monumental achievement in 2023, when GMC Raiders Mixed Team won First Place in the Masters Division at Nationals, a title that earned each team member a full-ride scholarship to the institution of their choice. This achievement underscores the program’s role in preparing cadets for future success, both academically and in military service. 


Exceptional Leadership at GMC Raider Challenge 


The Bulldog Invitational, run under the leadership of LTC Mike Jones, GMC’s Professor of Military Science, exemplifies the strength of GMC’s Army athletics program. 2LTs and State Service cadets from the Georgia Officer Training Site (GOTS) played a vital role in organizing and supporting the event, ensuring a seamless and professionally run competition. 



Raider Challenge: Building Leadership for the Future 


The Raider Challenge has grown in popularity, with students from all over Georgia participating and preparing for military service, college, and beyond. Cadets gain invaluable leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills—critical competencies for both their future academic endeavors and military careers. 


“The Bulldog Invitational is more than just a competition,” said Coach VanDine, “Our team has a legacy of excellence, with 12 state championships and two national titles, and continues to compete successfully against much larger schools. It’s a remarkable achievement given our size.” 


GMC Raiders: Competing Against Larger Schools and Succeeding 


GMC Raiders have established themselves as leaders in Junior College sports, particularly in the realm of Army athletics, where they regularly compete against larger schools and still come out on top. “Despite having fewer students than many of our competitors, our Raiders consistently demonstrate their resilience and determination,” said Caldwell. 



 Looking Ahead: Nationals and the GMC Legacy 


As the GMC Raiders set their sights on Nationals, they carry with them the strength and spirit of a program known for excellence. Whether they’re competing for state titles or earning scholarships to further their education, GMC cadets continue to make their mark in both high school sports and Army athletics. 


 


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GMC Prep Middle School Brings Shrek the Musical Jr. to Life

By Eric Jones • January 30, 2025
GMC Prep Middle School students lit up the stage with their vibrant production of Shrek the Musical Jr. at the NewDay USA Center for Leadership. The play ran from Friday, January 24th - Sunday, January 26th, totalling four amazing performances. Under the dedicated direction of MAJ Jenny Morris and LTC Mark Weaver, the young cast delivered an unforgettable performance filled with laughter, energy, and heartfelt storytelling. Despite winter weather disruptions moving dress rehearsals and the Thursday performance, the show went on—proving that nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of these talented students. With over half of GMC Prep’s 6th-8th grade students involved, Shrek the Musical Jr. showcased our school’s deep commitment to the arts. The production featured two separate casts, each performing twice, allowing more students to shine on stage. For eighth grader Zach Wilson , who played the title role of Shrek in the 8th Grade performance, this production was particularly special. “The play symbolizes that everyone is different, but that doesn’t mean everyone isn’t important. Everyone’s uniqueness comes together to create something big—just like we did with this show," said Z ach, a theater veteran since The Lion King in fifth grade, credits GMC Prep’s strong support for the arts as a key part of his experience. “I love that our school puts so much into this program," he said, "We can now perform at a much larger scale in the Center for Leadership, which lets us do bigger sets and more complex stage work.”

Three GMC Prep Teachers Awarded Tri-County EMC Bright Ideas Grants

By Eric Jones • January 6, 2025
Three Teachers With Designs on GMC's Future

Georgia Military College Prep School’s Sports Performances Earn Outstanding Achievements Across State and National Levels

By Eric Jones • November 13, 2024
Georgia Military College Preparatory School’s athletic teams have showcased incredible talent, resilience, and sportsmanship this season, with impressive performances across Softball, Raiders, and Cross Country. Each of these teams have advanced to the State Championships and have made GMC Prep proud! Varsity Softball Team’s Thrilling State Run Our Varsity Softball team demonstrated an unforgettable season finale on November 2nd. After an initial loss in the State Tournament, the team showed tremendous spirit and determination when they won their following matches, clinching a nail-biting 4-3 victory in the 7th inning against Lanier County, propelling them into the Championship game. The Varsity Girls finished as GHSA State Runner-Ups, a true testament to their resilience and skill. A special acknowledgment goes to Coaches Jennifer Deason, Brian Humphrey, and Nikki Grimes for leading the team to success. Notably, some umpires commended the team for their exemplary respect and conduct, both on and off the field—a double win for the program!

Georgia Military College Preparatory School Enters the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards

By Eric Jones • September 20, 2024
Georgia Military College Preparatory School is proud to announce its participation in this year’s Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards (GHSMTA), also known as the Shuler Awards. This marks the first time that GMC Prep has entered this esteemed statewide competition, which celebrates excellence in high school musical theatre across Georgia. Under the direction of both Major Jennifer Morris, the Middle School Musical Theatre Director, and Mark Weaver, GMC’s Fine Arts Director, GMC Prep students will perform Chicago: Teen Edition. This production will be evaluated in its entirety, allowing the judges to experience the full production value that GMC’s theatre has to offer. The school is eligible for nominations in various categories, including Overall Production, Direction, Music Direction, Choreography, Ensemble, and Leading Performers, among others. “The Fine Arts play a vital role in the development of our students, enhancing their creativity, critical thinking, and ability to work collaboratively,” said Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV (RET), President of Georgia Military College, “This is an exciting opportunity for our students to shine and for GMC to further demonstrate the depth and breadth of talent within our institution.” After returning to GHSA One Act Play competition in 2012, GMC has won seven state championships, including the last three in a row. “We wanted to try a competition that would put our students against the very best schools in the state, regardless of school size,” said Mark Weaver. “The Shuler Awards are more than a competition; ArtsBridge has created an event that is truly a celebration of musical theatre, and the excitement of our students about participating this year is incredible.” As GMC Prep embarks on this journey, Weaver also noted that the school will not participate in the GHSA One Act competition for the 2024-25 season but will return to that competition in the fall of 2025. “We are excited to embark on this new journey and learn the ins and outs of a competition that is brand new to us,” added Major Morris. “This opportunity allows our students to showcase their talents in our own theatre, where the judges will not only see the show but also gain a deeper understanding of our program, school, and students.” The GHSMTA, modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, honors the achievements of high school musical theatre programs across the state. The awards are named after Tony Award-winning actor and Georgia native Shuler Hensley. Nearly 5,000 students from high schools across Georgia participate annually in this transformative program, which offers scholarships, industry training, and the chance to perform on a professional stage. In addition to the primary awards, GMC Prep students will have the chance to compete for special awards such as the Showstopper Award, Spotlight Award, and Standing Ovation Award. Moreover, two students will have the opportunity to join the Shuler Ensemble, and two tech students will participate in the STAR (Students Take A Role) Council, further enhancing their learning experience. “Our students have already begun working on design elements, choreography, music, set construction, and costumes for Chicago: Teen Edition. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and look forward to taking on this new challenge,” Major Morris said. Participants in the production will be announced after the second step of the registration process, expected to be completed by the end of August. As the journey continues, GMC Prep is eager to see their students shine in this exciting new endeavor. For more information on the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards, visit ArtsBridgeGA.org .
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