St. Francis High School honored its seniors committed to military service after graduation with a special program held before school May 15. During the Military Signing Day event, eight students were formally recognized in front of proud families, fellow students, staff, military recruiters, and community members.
The event included words of encouragement from SFHS Principal Doug Austin, School Board Chair and retired Maj. Nathan Burr, Minnesota Army National Guard, and Army First Lieutenant Benjamin L. Cline, Company Executive Officer.
Students recited the enlistment oath during a swearing-in ceremony and received graduation cords to represent their commitment to serving in the military after high school. Burr and 25-year military veteran Mike Starr presented the cords to the students. View photos from Military Signing Day.
The seniors who plan to enter into the military after high school are:
Naomi Braski - Army National Guard
Taelor Curless - Army National Guard
Hannah Dills - Army National Guard
Aidan Dwyer - Army
Thomas Garza - Army
Jackson Griffin - Air Force
Joseph Lembcke - Army
Leah Steenerson - Air Force
The ceremony marked the fifth year the school has hosted a military signing event, which was also aligned with Our Community Salutes Military Signing Day. The mission of OCS is to recognize and honor high school enlistees and their commitment to military service and to provide parents/guardians of enlistees with community support as their son or daughter transitions into military service.