The Habersham County Board of Education and Habersham Central High School principal Jonathan Stribling came together via Zoom and YouTube Live Monday night to recognize six HCHS seniors entering the United States military.
“Graduates, I just can’t help but have a smile on my face right now. What a wonderful moment,” said Superintendent Matthew Cooper. “This has certainly been the highlight of […] all of the board meetings we’ve had this year.”
These seniors, who will miss their graduation scheduled for the end of July, were offered the unique opportunity to be honored by the Board of Education, high school faculty and staff, and family and friends around the globe. This opportunity granted their families some closure at the end of their high school career and the beginning of their military career.
“I appreciate them recognizing these students,” says Rachel Newsome whose son Devin Watts is joining the Marines. She says it was good that parents got to see their students publicly recognized. “It stinks that we’re not being able to see them walk across the stage.”
“Having this special ceremony for him and for the others is an indescribable feeling,” says Natasha Jones, mother of HCHS senior and U.S. Army recruit Grant Williams. “Knowing that my son is getting a [recognition] he and the others deserve is a priceless moment I will forever cherish.”
“The recognition was amazing for us!,” says Anthony Primavara’s mom, Angie. She says her son, who enlisted in the Army and goes by the name Blake, “isn’t really into sentimental things but I know he enjoyed last night. I think that meant more to him than a traditional graduation; I know it did me.”
In addition to Primavara, Watts, and Williams, three other members of the HCHS Class of 2020 will be going to boot camp straight out of high school. Robert “Robbie” Benton is joining the U.S. Marine Corps, Bowen Brooks has enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard, and Kimberly Fernandez will serve in the U.S. Army.
Watts called the May 11 online recognition “a great honor from the high school.”
Stribling was determined not to let their achievements go unnoticed.
“As your principal, I was not going to let you earn your diploma, become a member of the United States Armed Forces, miss your graduation because of your deployment, and do nothing,” Stribling said. He told the students “I am proud of each of you, and thank you for your service.”
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