“I, Leena Cortes, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies….”
Leena Cortes is enlisting in the Air Force.
She was one of more than a dozen Churchill High School seniors who took the military oath of enlistment during Churchill’s first-ever military signing day.
“For the first time in school history, we are hosting a military signing day,” said Churchill Principal Todd Bloomer. “At Churchill, we truly believe in the phrase ‘All means All,’ and this morning, we are demonstrating that by honoring these outstanding young men and women. I am proud of you. I am proud of your courage, conviction and your desire to enter the armed forces.”
Retired Colonel and NEISD graduate Jason T. Hall offered some words and motivation to the new recruits before the Churchill band led the crowd in the fight song.
Afterward, the students celebrated with their friends, family and military recruiters.
“I am very proud of Leena,” said her mother, Vanessa Perez. “She has given this 100 percent. JROTC has been very helpful and made her responsible. It has shown her how to be a leader. I liked today a lot. Very exciting and emotional.”
This next chapter is an exciting one, but a chapter Leena says would not have been possible with support from Churchill.
“We get so much support from our principal and other students,” said Leena. “Capt. Keisha Spaulding. She’s been a really big help in guiding me in what I am going to do with my life.”
Congratulations, Leena and all the other NEISD graduates choosing to serve our country after graduation.
