Noah Smith joined the Army to ensure that he can assist with his family’s needs.
Leticia Ambriez enlisted in the Army to secure college funding and lifelong benefits, while it was Sean Webb’s desire for self discipline that led him to join up.
“Honestly, I feel like I needed some discipline to better myself and make myself more mature, so I decided this was the choice for me,” he said.
While each young person joined the Army for a different reason, all three share things in common. They’re all 17, they’re all Bowsher High School students, and they’re all each among seven graduating seniors that have enlisted in the military.
Their decision to enlist prior to their May graduation underlines why their school on Thursday became the first major urban Ohio school to receive a Purple Star Award for military support and programming.
Four years ago, the Ohio Department of Education began awarding schools with the Purple Star Award to honor commitment to providing additional services to accommodate both military students and families.
In order to be recognized, schools must fulfill a set of requirements listed by the ODE. They must designate a staff point of contact to serve as a liaison for military students and families, they must make special considerations for military students and families, and they must dedicate a page on the school's website featuring resources for military families.
Bowsher assistant choir director Robyn Hage is the school’s staff member responsible for military programming. She said the school has taken on the responsibility of honoring both students enlisted in the Army as well as veteran staff members — several staff members have served in the armed forces — through programming that includes a special annual breakfast.
Mrs. Hage said the high school has a committee that serves as liaisons for students with military families, to ensure their transition into the school is seamless.
“We provide support services for those students, because it’s very cumbersome to come into a building where you don’t know anybody or you are unsure about the classes that you need to take because you move multiple times a school year,” Mrs. Hage said.
Bowsher Principal Teri Sherwood said it’s no surprise that so many seniors this year plan to join the military, given the school maintains a close relationship with local recruiters.
“They’re here on a regular basis talking to our students,” she said. “It’s a great option for students post-high school that we promote and support.”
The Army appealed to senior Parker Drane because it provides an opportunity to serve his country and a way for him to protect those that he loves most.
“I joined because I wanted this for myself. I wanted to protect the people that I love and care about. It’s not just because of the benefits, but this is something I wanted to do to better myself physically and mentally,” he said.
Toledo is part of the Ohio 8 coalition, an alliance representing Ohio’s major urban school districts that also includes Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Youngstown. Bowsher is the first Ohio 8 coalition school to receive the award.
Ohio Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commissioner Pete LuPiba awarded the high school with the recognition on Thursday.
Anthony Wayne Junior High School, Maumee Gateway Middle School, Maumee High School, Otsego High School, Rossford Elementary, and the Penta Career Center also received the award this year.
First Published January 17, 2020, 12:00 p.m.
