31 students recognized for joining the military

More than 30 regional high school students who are joining the military participated in the Community Salute to Service on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Waynesville High School. The Community Salute to Service recognizes South Central Missouri high school students who are enlisting in the military, National Guard, or Reserves, attending a college ROTC program, and/or have an appointment to a military academy. Waynesville R-VI School District Superintendent Hilary Bales welcomed everyone and introduced the speakers, which included Rick Morris, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, and Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Commanding General, United States Army Maneuver Support Center for Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood. Additionally on stage from Fort Leonard Wood to recognize the students were Brig. Gen. Matthew Bacon, Missouri National Guard Assistant Adjutant General; Marine Col. Scottie Redden, Commander for the Fort Leonard Wood Marine Corps Detachment; Air Force Lt. Col. Benjamin Carlson, Commander of the 368th Training Squadron; and Navy Lt. Joshua Lamb, Officer in Charge of the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Fort Leonard Wood. Fort Leonard Wood’s 399th Army Band performed live music, including the national anthem and the Armed Forces Medley, and WHS’s JROTC drill team posted the colors.

The 31 students represented 11 high schools:  Camdenton, Conway, Iberia, Laquey, Marshfield, Newburg, Richland, Rolla, Salem, School of the Osage, and Waynesville.

The students who attended included:

Baker, Lucinda

Bancroft, Jacob

Bennett, David

Biggs-Westling, Lucas

Chestnut, Zephaniah

Conklin, Christian

Eskridge-Crowder, Javonte

Fields, Linden

Goetz, Charles

Hall, Alexis

Higdon, Avery

Holt, John

Hynes, Johanna

Keown, Brawley

King, Aidan

Lindberg, Andrew

Manning, Donavan

Matthews, Charity

Oliver, Trenton

Pelezo Jr., Brandon

Plotner, Damen

Registe, Daylan

Rodgers, Dylan

Ricks, Ryan

Scherrer, Noah

Smith, Douglas

Steward, Dante

Taylor, Kayleigh

Totty, Ayden

Vassallo, Julian

Wilkerson, Jonah