The spirit of teamwork, endurance, and leadership was alive at Clyde A. Erwin High School as cadets from across Western North Carolina competed in the annual “Hare in the Woods Raider Meet,” hosted by Erwin’s JROTC Program.
This regional competition - created in 2011 by Chief Gutierrez in honor of former Erwin High JROTC instructor Captain Gene Hare, brings together schools to test their physical and mental grit in a series of military-style challenges. The event celebrates the legacy of Captain Hare by promoting leadership, morale, cooperation, and camaraderie among future leaders.
This year, three Buncombe County Schools took part: Clyde A. Erwin High School, T.C. Roberson High School, and A.C. Reynolds High School. Cadets worked together through physically demanding obstacle courses, teamwork events, and leadership tests designed to strengthen both skill and spirit.
A.C. Reynolds High School’s Thomes Philyaw earned the prestigious Raider Superior Medal, while T.C. Roberson High School proudly secured third place overall.
Erwin’s JROTC program continues to honor its tradition of excellence, fostering young leaders who embody the same dedication and perseverance that defined Captain Hare’s service and teaching.
