Lakota Honors 18 Seniors Committing to Military Service

Lakota Local Schools recognized 18 graduating seniors on their commitment to serve in a branch of the United States military after graduation. Military commitment ceremonies were held at Lakota East and Lakota West high schools, continuing a district tradition since 2018.

Students were joined by family, friends and recruiters, along with members of the Lakota Board of Education, district leaders and school staff. While each ceremony reflected its school community, both featured a student speaker who shared what the moment meant to them.

At Lakota East, Noreen Akuffo-Konadu, who will join the Air Force ROTC, spoke about  the importance of service. “You are choosing responsibility over comfort. You are choosing uncertainty over structure. And, you are choosing to be part of something larger than yourself,” she said.

At Lakota West, senior Joseph Limpus, who will join the Army National Guard, shared a similar message. “Today, we stand on the same line, about to step into something bigger than any one of us.”

Both student speakers focused on what lies ahead after graduation. Limpus told his fellow Firebirds, “One day, we’ll look back at this moment not with fear, but with pride knowing this is where it all started.” Akuffo-Konadu echoed that sentiment to her fellow Thunderhawks, saying, “I hope you remember this moment, not just as a commitment but as the beginning of your story.”

View more photos on the district Facebook page.