San Angelo ISD Students Sign Letters of Intent to Join Armed Forces at 2nd Annual Goodfellow AFB Armed Forces Commitment Celebration

San Angelo ISD seniors from Lake View and Central High Schools showed their commitment to joining the United States Armed Forces at the second annual Goodfellow Air Force Base Armed Forces Commitment Celebration on May 10. 

The Armed Forces Commitment Celebration was created through a partnership between SAISD, GFAB 17th Training Wing and the San Angelo community. The ceremony recognizes and celebrates high school students and their commitment to serving in the US Armed Forces.

“Holding an Armed Forces Commitment Celebration for high school students planning on joining the military is a way to show these students that they are supported and celebrated,” said GAFB 17th Training WIng School Liaison Program Manager Kristin Donaldson. “So many times, students are celebrated for selecting colleges, or committing to a college for a sports team – the commitment of these seniors is no different. They deserve to be celebrated too for the path that they have chosen.”

A total of 16 seniors from SAISD attended the Armed Forces Commitment ceremony celebrating their commitment to military service. Students received a military commitment certificate and a graduation stole to wear during their commencement ceremony to showcase their commitment to serving their nation.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITS:
Maria Acosta: Angelo State University Air Force Reserves Officer Training Corps
Michael Cobb: Enlisting, United States Marine Corps         
Jenijah Deanes: Angelo State University Air Force Reserves Officer Training Corps         
Lindsay Leyba: Texas A&M Naval Reserves Officer Training Corps
Salvador Muro: Enlisting, United States Marine Corps
Cyrus Pierce: Enlisting, United States Marine Corps
Jeremiah Rosales: Enlisting, United States Marine Corps  
David Ruiz: Enlisting, United States Marine Corps  
William Smith: Enlisting, United States Marine Corps
Dawson Young: Angelo State University Air Force Reserves Officer Training Corps
Stephen Franks: Enlisting, United States Marine Corps
Fred Mayberry: Enlisting, United States Marine Corps
Heidi Miller: Angelo State University Air Force Reserves Officer Training Corps
Alyssa Roberts: Enlisting, Army National Guard

LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITS:
Aaron Munoz: Enlisting, United States Army
Kelsey Deremo: Angelo State University Air Force Reserves Officer Training Corps

About 200 people attended Friday’s ceremony including: the recruits and their families; SAISD administrators, principals and educators; members of the GFAB 17th Training Wing and other military members and representatives; 17th Training Wing Commander Col. Angelina Maguinness; Angelo State University President Lt. General Ronnie Hawkins, Jr., US Air Force Retiree; four World War II Veterans; GAFB Honorary Commanders; and retired Army Master Sgt Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor recipient and keynote speaker.

“During the ceremony I looked around and was feeling all the feelings!” said Mrs. Donaldson. “I saw parents looking at their children whom we were celebrating, active duty members cheering for their future teammates, and veterans who probably didn’t have an opportunity to be celebrated when they made their own commitment that were excited to see the future faces of the military. I was so proud and excited that we could show our support and recognize these young men and women!”

SAISD would like to extend our gratitude to all of the student recruits and their families for their commitment and sacrifice, and commend their dedication to serving the US Armed Forces.

To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.