West Ridge High School Honors Seniors Joining Military

West Ridge High School in Blountville, Tennessee, recently held a special event to honor nine graduating seniors who have made the decision to serve their country by joining a branch of the U.S. Armed Services.

The ceremony, organized by the school’s Air Force JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) and the Tennessee Army National Guard, drew a significant crowd including family and friends of the seniors, as well as local military recruiters. Dr. George Lao, the school principal and a Marine Corps veteran, presided over the event.

The Honored Seniors

The students who were celebrated at the event included Lindsay Chapman, Ashley Estes, Logan Greene, Matthew McCarthy, America Moralis, Julie Niminske, Logan Turner, Tyler Winston, and Codi Yeagar.

A number of these students will be attending ROTC programs at the college level while serving, with the ultimate goal of getting commissions as officers.

Lindsay Chapman’s Journey

Among the honored seniors, 18-year-old Lindsay Chapman of the Rock Springs area has a particularly notable journey. Chapman intends to join the Army National Guard after graduation and participate in basic training in August. Following that, she plans to enrol at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in the spring of 2025 to pursue an aerospace science degree in the professional pilot’s program.

In tandem with her studies, Chapman will participate in the Crosstown Cadets ROTC program at Tennessee State University which is about 45 minutes from MTSU, until she attains her commission in the Air Force.

Chapman’s passion for aviation was ignited when she undertook a solo flight with a retired veteran pilot and later earned her private pilot’s license. She has been facilitated by programs such as the FLIGHT initiative, which stands for Flight Lessons Instructional Grants Helping Teens and has managed over 12,000 solo flights. In a notable achievement, Chapman also earned a scholarship to the U.S. Air Force’s Flight Academy, where she acquired her private pilot’s license.

The Importance of the Ceremony

Although the ceremony at West Ridge High School does not replace the official Enlistment Oath each senior will take, the event serves a crucial purpose. According to retired Master Sgt. Don Shawver, a senior instructor with the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC program, the ceremony should be seen as a powerful reminder of the commitments citizens accept when they decide to serve in the U.S. military.

The staff and community at West Ridge High School and beyond are incredibly proud of these nine individuals for dedicating their future to serving their country. Their selfless decision speaks volumes about their character and commitment, setting a commendable example for their fellow students and the wider community.