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Student Successes
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ESJCC graduate Max Stephens deployed to Iraq
ESJCC Alumni, Max Stephens is in the army. He was deployed from the Carson Base in Colorado to Iraq and has been there for the past few months. Max was the Student Government Association President during his tenure at ESJCC in 2003/2004. Max graduated from ESJCC in February, 2004 after obtaining his High School Diploma and training in Culinary Arts.
Alumni serving with Missouri National Guard
provides search and rescue after Hurricane Katrina
ESJCC Alumni Karmen Reiss, above right, is currently serving as the Public Relations Liaison for the 175th Police Battalion of the Missouri National Guard. After Hurricane Katrina, the entire Battalion was deployed to Louisiana to lend assistance with the relief efforts. Their job as Military Police was to provide security for the task forces that were doing search and rescue.
Reiss writes to ESJCC staff, “The last mission our unit was on was by far the most gratifying mission I have ever had. It was hot all the time, and we worked 12-16 hours a day. I will never forget the look on someone’s face when they are being pulled from their flooded home, or we were able to give them food and water when they didn’t have any. I brought back with me a thankfulness for everything I have.”
Karmen graduated from ESJCC in 2000 after earning her GED and training in the Health Occupations field. She held the position of Student Government Association President while enrolled at ESJCC. She enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard after graduation. Her unit at Fort Leonard wood was activated after September 11, 2001 to replace the active Military Police who were being deployed to Afghanistan. Her tour of duty lasted for a year. After some time to spend with her children, she finally pursued her goal of working in law enforcement on the civilian side. She was hired by the Missouri Department of Corrections and worked a maximum security prison. During her employment with DOC, her experience in leadership while at ESJCC and her public speaking ability were instrumental in getting her recommended for the National Guard Public Affairs position.
Karmen looks to the day that she started at Excelsior Springs Job Corps in July, 1998 as the starting point of a whole new life for her.
Missouri National Guard Battalion in which Karmen serves.
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the flooding which followed made for dangerous conditions for Karmen and other soldiers.
ESJCC graduate Tyler Bennett serving in Iraq
Earl Tyler Bennett IV served in South Korea for one year and was stationed in Colorado Springs prior to April of this year, when he was sent to Iraq. He is currently stationed near Tikrit. He is supposed to have 2 weeks leave sometime between now and December of this year. We are hoping to see him before too long.
I appreciate all the efforts of the staff and Job Corps who helped Tyler achieve and earn his high school diploma. I talked with him Wednesday and he mentioned all of you. He is proud (so am I) that his picture is hanging on the wall there at Job Corps. Keep up the good work - it does make a difference!
I have copied him on this email so if he gets access to a computer again, he will know that I sent this to you. I would appreciate your prayers for his safety and for all our troops serving.
Following is his address:
PV2 BENNETT EARL TYLER IV
HHC 1-8 INFANTRY (Mech)
Unit #92598
APO AE 09323-2598
-- Marsha L Saikia
Tyler's mother |
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