MANCHESTER – On June 15, Manchester School District hosted a ceremony to recognize graduating seniors who are entering military service.
Graduates have enlisted in the Air Force, Air Force Reserves, Army, Army National Guard, Marines, Navy, and the Naval Academy. Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Gillis, Mayor Joyce Craig and Master Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Slagle (ret), Naval Science Instructor at Manchester High School West, addressed the students and families.
“Wherever your service takes you, whether near or far, please know that your community is incredibly grateful for your decision to serve,” Gillis said. “You are leaders and role models, and we could not be more proud of you.”
In all, 18 graduates in the class of 2023 are entering the service or a service academy. Given the busy schedule at the end of the year – and the fact that some had already shipped out for basic training – not all were able to attend the ceremony. The list of students includes:
Johnny Xuân Phan, Manchester School of Technology High School, Air Force
Samantha DiMino, Manchester School of Technology High School, Air Force Reserves
Blaise Ziemba, Manchester School of Technology High School, Army
Mason Snow, Manchester High School West, Army
Derrick Dixon, Manchester High School West, Army
Jaslyn Coldwell, Manchester High School West, Army
Yojan Jorge Bueno, Manchester High School West, Army
Adrian Mailloux, Manchester Memorial High School, Army National Guard
Sergio Teruel Gutierrez, Manchester Memorial High School, Army National Guard
Brian Jolicoeur, Manchester Memorial High School, Marines
Sharon Kamola, Manchester Memorial High School, Marines
Nicholas Clark, Manchester School of Technology High School, Marines
David Snow, Manchester High School West, Army National Guard
Amani Martin, Manchester Memorial High School, Naval Academy
Maria Ramos, Manchester Memorial High School, Navy
Jared Velazquez, Manchester School of Technology High School, Navy
Christian Morency, Manchester High School West, Navy
Lukas Valencia, Manchester High School West, Navy
You can find an album of photos from the event here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/dX4RZmHgMigR5wzAA.
You can find video from the event, provided by Manchester Public Television, here: