Humble ISD hosted its third annual “Work Out with a Vet” event Saturday, Oct. 24, at Turner Stadium. Dr. Tong Utakrit, Humble ISD’s Director of Advanced Learning and Services opened the event and served as emcee.
The event honors veterans of the armed forces, encourages physical fitness and raises awareness of the benefits of Humble ISD’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) programs. U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps recruiters and members of Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity joined community members, veterans and cadets for the event.
The Atascocita High School band provided the welcoming soundtrack as participants arrived and performed the national anthem. Other student contributions included a performance by the Atascocita High School Patriettes, face painting by Summer Creek High School art club students and a rendition of “God Bless America” by Atascocita High School junior and choir student Evan Edwards.
A joint color guard presented the colors. Members included Cadet Gunnery Sgt. Alexa Granados, Cadet Sgt. Roselyn Gonzalez and Cadet Sgt. Andrea Tovar of Atascocita High School; Cadet Capt. Davienne Holiday, Cadet 1st Sgt. Malik Ebalo and Cadet Maj. Daniel Hayday of Humble High School; Cadet Maj. Joshua Rogers and Cadet 1st Lt. Cameron Hart of Kingwood Park High School; and Cadet Sgt. Diego Falcon and Cadet Pvt. Elijah Cabeza of Summer Creek High School.
Atascocita Middle School Leadership Officer Training Corps (LOTC) cadets Tyler Cary and Isaiah Irvin-Smith led the crowd in the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.
Humble ISD Superintendent Dr. Roger Brown, school board President Michael Grabowski, Dr. Melissa Leigh, the district’s director of personalized student success, and Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Joaquin Crenshaw of Summer Creek High School gave speeches.
The program also recognized the district’s JROTC and LOTC instructors for their commitment to building students’ confidence and character and teaching skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Participating programs included Atascocita Middle School LOTC, led by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jelise Campeau; Humble High School Army JROTC, led by Sgt. Maj. David Watkins, Master Sgt. Duane Wells and Sgt. 1st Class Dondi Humphrey; and Kingwood Park High School Air Force JROTC, led by Lt. Col. Donald Daughtery and Senior Master Sgt. Monica Melendez.
Also participating were Summer Creek High School Army JROTC, led by Maj. Sammy Woodburn and Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Rivera; Atascocita High School Marine Corps JROTC, led by 2nd Lt. Tyler Garcia and Master Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Fleming; and Creekwood Middle School LOTC, whose instructor, Sgt. John Reynolds, was away on a college visit.
Kingwood High School Navy JROTC, led by Lt. Alena Fuller and Chief Petty Officer Terri Lee, were recognized but were away at a competition.
Following the program, community members joined the cadets on the field for a warmup and workout led by Master Gunnery Sgt. Fleming. Participants also had the opportunity to work alongside cadets in a combat fitness challenge and explore the JROTC obstacle course on the Humble High School campus, bringing the event to a close with opportunities to connect through fitness, teamwork and community spirit.
To see photos from the event, check out this photo gallery.
