KILLEEN, Texas — On Thursday, Our Community Salutes-Central Texas recognized high school seniors in our area who have answered the call to serve our country. Seniors like Robert M. Shoemaker High School student, Kennedi Green. Her parents served in the military and she wanted to follow in their footsteps.
"I heard it could also help with college so, that was one of the two main reason I decided to do this," said Green.
With a week until graduation, Kennedi will be heading off to the Air Force Reserves. Her basic training begins this summer. She is hoping what she learned from her JROTC instructor
Colonel Tom Clady will help her with her military career.
"We learn a lot of different things like leadership styles,” said Green. I am hoping that I can carry that over in basic training and show people what I learned in JROTC."
Clady spent years in the Army. In fact, he recently received the Our Community Salutes General Collin Powell Service Award.
"I was very honored to receive it,” said Clady. “I was very humbled. I served in the military for a very long time. I actually met General Collin Powell when he was the Chairman Joint Chief of Staff, so it was full circle."
Clady has been teaching JROTC for four years at Shoemaker High School. He said teaching students gives him another purpose in life. And it makes him proud when they make the decision to serve.
"I don’t really push them. When they want to, I help them. I make the connection for them,” said Clady. “It just really makes me proud because younger people in our country still want to serve. They want to do great things. You see that in high school they want to do the things to support the school, support the community so it is a lot of fun."
Green is excited for what the future holds.
"It is definitely going to be crazy. A lot of stuff in a short period of time. So I am interested to see what happens next," said Green.
Green will attend the University of Texas at Austin in the Fall. She plans to study neuroscience and become a neurologist.
To all of the Central Texas students enlisting in the military 6News would like to say thank you for your willing to serve.