Eight Tascosa High School students take military oath at ceremony

Tascosa High School held a ceremony Tuesday for students to take their oath of enlistment for joining the military.

At the ceremony, eight students took the oath, with four going into the U.S. Army and one each going to the Army National Guard, Marines, Navy, and Air Force.

Austin Carroll, who took his oath to join the Navy, reflected on his ambitions in the military.

“A few months ago, I decided it would be in my best interests to join the military, and my family was very supportive of the Navy,” Carroll said. "Serving in the military offers many educational opportunities, and this is a great way to pay for college.”

Carroll said that standing with his fellow students made this a special day.

“I was so glad to share this experience with my fellow (enlistees) that took the oath, with my fellow students in attendance,” Carroll added.

Heading for training as a Nuclear Technician in July, Carroll said he is excited for this next career chapter.

“My parents are a bit older than me, so there was a great bias toward the Navy over the other armed services,” Carroll said. "I am glad to be going into the military because I am not sure what else I would be doing.”

Lauren Apodaca, who is joining the Army with an ambition to become a medic, spoke about her reasons for joining the military.

"Most of my family has served on my father’s side as well as my brother, so it's just something that was kind of born and raised into me,” Apodaca said. “Seeing my brother travel with the opportunities he has had just makes it seem like the place for me."

Apodaca, who leaves for basic training at Fort Jackson in July, says that her mom had always wanted to join the military but never got a chance, so it's kind of like she is fulfilling that for her. She is now the first woman in her family to serve in the military.

“She really wanted to serve, but now she can live it through me,” she said. “I carry a lot on my shoulders, and I am really excited to be challenged. I have wanted to do this for a while, and being a woman will not stop me from reaching that goal. This is the right career path for me.”

Apodaca said that reaching this day and making this commitment is completing a lifelong dream.

“It felt really amazing and heartwarming, something my childhood me is very pumped about and like screaming inside,” she said. “So, it meant a lot and to see my friends witness it and my family. It is very honoring to follow in those that served before me.”

Her mom, Veronica Valdez, expressed that seeing her daughter take the oath today filled her with considerable pride.

“I am so proud of her; I know this is something that she has always wanted to do,” Valdez said. “It has always been one of her dreams and mine as well, so she gets to carry out my dream. It was very emotional to see her take the oath and begin her military journey.”

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Eight Tascosa High School Students take military oath at ceremony