Springdale High School women step up for military service after graduation

For the first time in Springdale High School’s history, all of the students headed to the military after graduation are female.

The three seniors — Skyleanna Skiles, Deserai Duncan and Leann Brannock — were recognized at the school’s annual military reception and ceremony Thursday.

School administrators, along with local veterans, military members and family, attended the ceremony to congratulate the women on their future careers.

Brannock and Duncan will join the Army Reserve and attend college part time while Skiles will go into the Air Force full time and attend college afterward.

“We’ve all really come together to support each other,” Brannock said. “We’ve seen a lot more support for females going to those types of jobs, and it’s just really been good (for supporting) whatever we want to do as girls in high school.”

Skiles will be following in the footsteps of her father, Carl Skiles. He served four years as a Marine.

“A lot of my family is in the military, and it’s a good way to help pay for college,” Skiles said. “It just seems like a great thing to do.”

Carl Skiles said he’s looking forward to the opportunities the Air Force will bring his daughter. He was glad to see it was all women this year.

“I think it’s outstanding,” he said. “(It’s) definitely a lot of progress.”

Duncan said she was surprised to hear none of her male classmates enlisted so far this year.

“It’s kind of interesting to see females step up to the plate and show that we can do it, too,” Duncan said.

Superintendent Pat Graczyk and school board President Larry Pollick also spoke about the veterans to come before them and the important role they serve in the community.

“We’re so proud of you young ladies for the decision you’ve made,” Pollick said.

The seniors got to hear from Georgetta Smotzer, a Navy veteran who joined when it was much more unusual for women to enlist in the military.

“There are so many more women that are going to be there to support them,” she said. “We didn’t have anyone.”

Army Capt. Carl Kusbit spoke to the women about the impact joining the military will have on their lives.

“I just think it’s tremendous what you’re doing — I really do,” he said. “You’re going to be so proud to wear that uniform.

“There’s absolutely no better feeling.”