Graduation2014

The Fort Lee community’s eighth annual tribute to the achievement of high school graduation

RI

2 | Traveller | June 12, 2014 | www.fortleetraveller.com

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Journ ey’s End

Photos by T. Anthony Bell

Prince George HS seniors celebrate graduation T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY – The significance of the moment was unmistakable. Milliseconds after Christian Valero received his diploma and shook hands with the presenter, he hoisted the document in the air in a celebratory pose, his body stiff with a feeling of triumph and liberation. He described his feelings in a tone of finality.

“I made it, I finished it and I did it well,” ” said the military family member afterward.

Perhaps Valero’s expression could represent the general sentiment that resonated among the 366 graduating seniors during the 61st annual commencement exercises of Prince George High

School Saturday. The school, located roughly three miles east of Fort Lee, is the designated learning institution for installation teens.

Several thousand people were on hand for the ceremony that took place at the school’s athletic field. They included members of Staff Sgt. Clifton and Brandy Johnson’s family. They were there in support of the couple’s 18-yearold daughter, Ariel Victoria Gutierrez.

“It’s an awesome achievement for her and our family,” said the Tango Company, 266th Quartermaster Battalion Soldier who sported a wide grin after the ceremony. “There are a lot of emotions.”

Like many of her fellow military family member students,

Gutierrez has worked her way through at least six schools on her way to receiving her diploma.

She was further challenged by enrolling at Prince George just two

months prior to the start of the school year, said her mother.

“It was a transition for her,” she said, “but she did really good at it, and it’s something she’s been used to for years. She adjusted really well.”

The early morning ceremony, marked by partly sunny skies and warm temperatures, was as festive and celebratory as any held in the country. Family members and well-wishers toted flowers, balloons and congratulatory placards. As is custom, they also cheered and applauded as graduates’ names were announced during the diploma presentations.

During the ceremony, class valedictorian Robert “Trey” West III urged the graduates to search for endeavors that spark strong interests.

(LEFT) Christian Valero strikes a celebratory pose after receiving his diploma Saturday at the Prince George High School athletic field during the 61st annual commencement exercises. One of 366 graduates, he is the son of military retiree Roy and Elaine Valero. (BELOW) Zachary Hale is all smiles as he and his fellow graduates enter the athletic stadium for the start of the ceremony.

Hale is the son of Fort Lee employee Malcolm Hale.

“Find out what you’re passionate about and run after it,” he said during the valedictory address.

“Life is much too short to waste time on anything less.”

Following the formalities, the Hernandez family was among the throngs of family members and supporters who embraced, kissed and offered congratulations to their graduates after the ceremony. The newest family graduate, LeeAnne Hernandez, celebrated her achievement by wearing what seemed like several layers of leis around her neck.

“I’m excited for a new chapter in my life,” she said, showing off the many flowered necklaces, “knowing that I can adjust and learn new things.”

The achievement meant much more to her father, Staff Sgt. Alberto Hernandez of the 16th Ordnance Battalion.

“To me, this is a personal thing because I dropped out of high school,” he said. “I had one daughter graduate in Hawaii and one here. It’s something I always wanted to do.”

Leeanne plans to attend Richard Bland College in the fall, pursuing her interests and a degree in marine biology.

One third of the Prince George student body is comprised of students who are the family members of either active duty military personnel or government civilians assigned to the installation. Many more are the family members of military

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(ABOVE) Bobby Wells, a retired Soldier, gives a congratulatory handshake and hug to his nephew, Eric Wells, moments after Saturday’s Prince George High School commencement exercises. Wells is the son of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Don and Donna Wells. (LEFT) LeeAnne Hernandez, the daughter of Staff Sgt. Alberto Hernandez, shows off several leis, a tradition she brought with her from Hawaii, her dad’s last duty assignment.

Photos by T. Anthony Bell

(ABOVE) The graduates move from a gymnasium to the athletic field just before the start of the commencement exercises. (LEFT) The graduating seniors listen to the valedictory address during the ceremony. A total of 366 students were awarded diplomas during Saturday’s event. Prince George High School is the designated learning institution for Fort Lee teens. Roughly one third of its student body is affiliated with active duty military or government civilians assigned to Fort Lee.

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6 | Traveller | June 12, 2014 | www.fortleetraveller.com

&ODVV RI T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

His father has completed six overseas tours since 2001.

Additionally, Joshua Spitzer has endured at least five permanent changes of station and attended more than seven schools.

After a childhood made more demanding due to military moves and his father’s absence, one might be inclined to think military family members like him would yearn for the greener pastures of stability.

Don’t think too hastily at least as it pertains to Joshua.

The 18-year-old former Fort Lee resident has shrugged off the instability and complexity of military life with a yearning to join the ranks himself as an enlisted Soldier.

“My dream was always to follow (in the footsteps) of my father,” said Joshua, who graduated from Prince George High School Saturday. “I see him as a hero for all that he’s done to support this country. I want to emulate what he’s done.”

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Spitzer is an ordnance Soldier – a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems Maintainer who has served his country 18 years. He is credited with four deployments to Southwest Asia and two overseas tours served in noncombat areas, said his wife, Chandra Spitzer. Currently serving a one year tour in Korea, Sgt. 1st Class Spitzer has been an abiding influence on Joshua and his older brother.

“He’s taught them to be men, to do things right,” said Chandra, speaking of Joshua and 21-year-old Jonathan.

“He’s taught them to respect

The next step He yearns to become a Soldier despite his family’s constant moving, separation Photos by T. Anthony Bell

others and believe in God, and that God always finds a way to help you see your path, whatever that is at the time.”

Joshua and Jonathan both have plans for enlistment in the Army. They intend to do so after they help the family settle down in Fort Hood, Texas, where their father will be assigned upon his return to the states next March. The Spitzer family departed Fort Lee on Monday.

Chandra, who has four other children, said she is not surprised by her sons’ interest in the military but has this caveat for their decisions: “I told them if they don’t want to make a career of it, they don’t (have to),” she said. “They’re going to make that decision when the time comes. But don’t do something because someone else is doing it. You have to follow your own goals, and if the military is your goal, then

put 110 percent into it.”

The military wasn’t always a career goal for Joshua but rather an interest. The former PGHS Marching Royals band member has moved to the tunes of music since the fourth grade, having played the clarinet, mellophone, French horn and snare drum, his most current interest. He said his love is music.

“I’ve had a dream of becoming a band teacher, but I’ve always had a fascination about the military because I’ve always worked out with my dad and done PT with him,” said Joshua, who was also a member of the PGHS Junior ROTC. “I decided to either join the Army band where I can still play an instrument, or go to college and become a band teacher.”

Joshua’s plan seems solid on paper at least, but does a young man of his age and maturity truly understand the level of commitment re-

quired for military service, especially during a time of war? He responds this way: “Leaving your family behind is really tough, but your job is your job so you have to toughen up and complete your mission,” said Joshua.

“Once you complete your mission, you can come back to your family.”

With that said, Joshua has seemingly grasped the concept of uncertainty inherent in military service, having been affected by it for most

of his life. This is his take on deployments: “You don’t know where you are going to go,” he said.

“They might tell you, but you might not know the reason. And there’s no way to get out of it.”

Jonathan supported his brother’s thoughts about military service with this statement: “Every family has to make sacrifices in their life,” he said. “If you have a family member in the military, someone has to step up and make sacrifices as well.”

Both Joshua and Jonathan have made sacrifices while their father is serving overseas. Joshua has taken on all the demands required of seniors and stepped up his responsibilities around the house, especially in preparation for the move.

“I have a lot of resources here,” said Joshua. “I had some people come over and

(LEFT) Joshua Spitzer, center, son of Sgt. 1st Class Robert and Chandra Spitzer, smiles after receiving his diploma Saturday at the Prince George High School commencement ceremony. (BELOW) Spitzer plans to join the Army in the very near future.

we boxed and packed everything up and put them in corners so movers don’t have to do everything themselves.”

Joshua and his brother also thoroughly cleaned the rooms and the floors during the days leading up to the move. Chandra said she didn’t expect anything less from Joshua.

“Since we’ve been here (at Fort Lee), he’s always taken the father’s role, helping me out in any way he can,” she said, noting moves require the wise use of time and much focus.

On Saturday, the focus of the entire Spitzer family was on graduation as it supported Joshua, clad in the Royals’ green and gold cap and gown at the school’s football stadium. Prior to the event, Chandra said she had mixed feelings about Joshua’s graduation – glad to see her son take a crucial step into adulthood but a bit discontented her husband can’t share in the moment.

“I feel sad that he’s not going to be here, but I feel proud that I have another one who is graduating, becoming an adult and pursuing his future,” said Chandra, whose daughter, Samantha graduated last year.

Joshua and his brother plan to enlist during the first few weeks of July. Their father plans to be present during their graduation from basic training, said Chandra.

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T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

High school graduation represents, among many things, a milestone and a bridge to the next stage of life.

To a Fort Lee community family, however, it means much more:.

It is part of an effort to reconnect and integrate a new family member.

“New” is a misnomer in this case. Nineteen-year-old Colonial Heights High School senior Jarena Lee Figueroa has always been a member of the family, but it has been roughly a decade since she has lived under the same roof as her mother, Defense Commissary Agency employee Maggi Owens.

Her stay has been somewhat trying since she arrived here from Texas in September of 2013.

“To be honest, it’s been very difficult,” said Figueroa, also called “J” by her mother. “I’ve never taken structure, demands or listened to people very well, so I knew coming here was going to be a lot different than I was used to.”

Figueroa had much to get used to. She needed to get acquainted with her 8- and 11-year-old stepbrothers and an absentee stepfather whose military duties keep him away from home “98 percent of the time,” said Owens.

She also had to come to terms with a mother who agonized and longed for her presence over the past decade, who wants to shower her with love and compassion but is determined not to allow her relational pursuit to descend into an episode of permissiveness. Her daughter, she reasoned, also needs an authority figure.

“It’s been hard trying to find that equal balance (of integrating Figueroa into the family) because I didn’t spend the majority of her youth as her mother,” said Owens.

“I did not nurture her, and I wasn’t there when she fell so I took on the approach of trying to be her friend, a mentor and a role model and then grow into the role – ‘Hey, I’m the

Jarena Lee Figueroa and Maggi Owens were reunited roughly 10 months ago and are working to strengthen their relationship on the eve of Figueroa’s graduation from Colonial Heights T. Anthony Bell High School.

Beginning again Mother, daughter start relationship anew after long separation mom; it’s pucker up time; you have to listen to me.’”

Figueroa’s expectations of her new family life were based on whether she could adjust to a new and different environment. She wasn’t so naïve to believe that it would be easy, and her mother assured her so beforehand. She was, however, still saddled with worries about acceptance. Her younger siblings help put to rest any notions of rejection.

“They welcomed me with warm hugs,” she recalled. “When that happened, my whole frame of mind changed. It made me really, really happy, and I was like, ‘Yes, I finally had my family and this is what I’ve been waiting for and wanting.’”

Receptions are one thing but living and breathing in a totally new environment on a day-to-day basis presents daunting challenges, many Figueroa wasn’t equipped to handle. They surfaced during her first week of school where she tried to blend into the fabric of its social life.

“My first week in Virginia at school was terrible,” said Figueroa.

“I was trying to adjust, make

friends. Grades (were an issue) – since I came right in the middle of everything. It was frustrating, and I was shutting down and wasn’t talking; I just pretended like nothing happened at school. One day, I just walked out and got grounded for skipping school.”

Figueroa said her response to the situation was reflexive and emanated from her experiences in Texas, where she often was powerless to help her cause. As a result, she was untrusting, uncommunicative and prone to bottle up her feelings and emotions – even to those who wanted to help.

“It gets hard for me to crack open and say something or say how I feel,” said Figueroa. “Whoever it may be – friends or family or anybody that I should be able to open up and talk to – it’s still hard. Like mom, it’s still hard to talk about anything.

Because Figueroa’s communication skills could be better, Owens said she has to be more attentive and understanding, the latter cultivated from various challenges she experienced as a teenager.

“If there’s anyone on this planet

who is understanding (it’s me),” implied Owens. “And I’m not just saying this; I’m a very understanding parent. There aren’t too many things you can tell me that I don’t have knowledge about.”

Owen’s ability to understand and relate was evident on prom night when Figueroa went out with friends to the event but didn’t communicate her whereabouts afterward, returning home at 7 a.m. the next day. She showed motherly concern but also released her antipermissiveness persona toward the offender.

“I completely took every electronic device she owned, – cellphone, TV and Kindle,” recalled Owens, noting her daughter needed to be accountable. “Once she said she was sorry, ‘Here you are; you can take your stuff back.’”

Once the apology was made, said Owens, there was no dwelling on the issue. “The conversation was finished and done with,” she said.

“We moved on. I think we played Uno that night and made some chicken. We were best friends; like nothing ever happened.”

That’s kind of how Owens and

Figueroa handled their renewed and fledgling relationship. While they can’t erase the 10-year separation they endured, they can start anew with a clear understanding that there is no time to waste and each risked something to make the relationship work: Owens and the measure of stability she previously enjoyed with her family; Figueroa and her continuing efforts to expose herself when she has no history of doing so.

“I think that we both really jumped the broom,” said Figueroa, “really trying to work together as a team.”

There’s no doubt, added Figueroa, it’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.

“It really has been,” she said.

“Before, I really didn’t care what other people felt; didn’t like working with teams. Now that I have a family, I learned that if one person has an attitude, it affects the rest of the team. That’s not a good thing and we have to communicate with each other and help each other out or the whole team falls.”

The whole team will rise when Figueroa accepts her diploma during Colonial Heights High School’s commencement exercises Friday.

Figueroa said it will be a significant moment because of a promise her mom made some time ago.

“I remember mom telling me when I was in Texas that she was going to come down for my graduation,” she said. “‘I don’t care if you don’t want me there,’ she said, ‘I will hitchhike my way down there just to see you walk across the stage.’

“There is such a big difference now because I’m actually with my mom. She’s seeing me become a stronger, smarter person.”

The graduation weighs heavy on Owens as well. “I never gave up on our bond, on my instincts as a mother that I had no choice but to find her, help her and guide her through her way.”

Figueroa has plans to attend John Tyler Community College in the fall.

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Accolades and expressionV Many will dream, some will try, but only a select few will achieve!

You are an achiever, and we are so proud of you. Congratulations on your graduation!

– MSG John and Khandice Brooks to Jakayla Brooks After 12 long years, walking across that stage to receive your diploma made me proud to be called your dad, and I know your grandparents are smiling as well.

Congratulations!

– Malcolm Hale to Zachary Hale Dajuan, all of your hard work has paid off! You have made all of us proud. Continue to strive for the best. With Love From All of Us! – SFC Wayne and Roxanne Harding to Dajuan Harding Darius, your High School career has been the fulfillment of a milestone that will become an adventure in the future. Face every challenge as an opportunity for growth, and the future will be brighter. We are so very proud of you. Love you, mom and dad.

– Ret. MSG Kelius Hardy, SFC Damaris Hardy and Rose Hardy to Darius Hardy

Take advantage of the opportunities placed before you. Others have served so that you may have. Therefore, you don’t have to live the past to appreciate the present as you prepare for your future. The knowledge you gain throughout life is everlasting so cherish every moment of it, and make the best of it because it will

Throughout all your life We Prayed for you We Believed in you We Rooted for you And today we cheer for you!

Congratulations! We love you!

– Ret. 1SG Jose and Tonya Andujar to Rossi Andujar-Lugo

take you further than you can ever imagine.”

– Ret. Lt. Col. Theodora C. Banks, mother of T’Keyah Banks, to all graduates

It has been an amazing ride watching you grow from a little girl into a young lady. We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see you start on your new journey! Love you!

– MSG Melanie Scott and Rodney Milledge, and Steven Scott to Makayla Scott In the past 12 years, you’ve overcome numerous educational obstacles. You’ve had your share of challenges but have persevered and are a stronger young man because of them. We love you.

– Ret. SFC Randy and Sandra Dixon to Devin R. Dixon Looking back, it was all worth it. Finally a graduate!

Happy graduation. Best of luck

for a wonderful future at ECPI! Congrats graduate! We are so proud of you.

– SFC Michael and Leslie Prigge to Ryan Prigge We are so very proud of you.

Your achievements are wonderful – but your desire, and continuing efforts to make the world a better place are extraordinary.

– Post employee Dr. Francoise Bonnell and Ret. LTC Charles Bonnell to William Bonnell Bursting with pride and oh so humble ... she did it all on her own! Valedictorian, NC State Park Scholar, daughter, aunt, friend ... my little girl.

– Joanna Bousquet to AnnaClaire Bousquet

As parents, we expect our children to consistently do their best. They have to adapt to all that’s new to us with each PCS as well as changing curriculum, sometimes with different grading scales. They often sit bored in a class because they’ve already studied the

Your mother and I are proud of the young woman that Erica has become. We wish you continued success in every endeavor in your adult life. We love you!

– Post contractor Al and Wendy Jones to Erica Lea Jones

You have blown us away with how smart you are son! I pray that you continue to make us proud on your life’s journey! We love you.

– SSG Irwin K. Jr. and Bobbie Brown to Tri Brown Y ou have taught us what it really means to fight for something you believe in. Congratulations!

Ret. CWO5 Kenneth and Sonita McDaniel to Krystal McDaniel

Adjusting to the moves and traveling all over the world; having to deal with meeting new people; and switching schools while meeting the demands of each school’s grade requirements are achievements in a category by themselves.

–Toyer Gatlin, mother of Dymond Gatlin, to all graduates

Continued from page 5 Auburn Wilborn Ret. MSG Eric and Verona Wilborn Matoaca High School

information at their previous school; other times they have to catch up to a class that has moved beyond where they were in their studies. Mix in new cultures, peer pressures, trying to fit in and planning for their future; it’s a lot for a teen! Graduation is a tremendous accomplishment. Not only have they gained an educational foundation; through their perseverance, they have also become strong, well-rounded young adults!

– Julie Jacobs, mother of Miranda Barnhouse, about the challenges of military family members

We are grateful and honored to have such a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent daughter; VCU bound!!

– Ret. MSG Eric and Verona Wilborn to Auburn Wilborn