Five Gehlen students to join military

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

By this time of year, most seniors have come up with a plan of action for their next step beyond high school.

For five seniors at Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars, plans include joining the military.
The five students are:

 - Cole McCarty - Air National Guard
- Kale Pearson - Air National Guard
- Samantha (Sami) Zubrod - Air National Guard
- Haley Gries - Air National Guard
- Bradan Weber - Marine Corps

With 40 students in the senior class, the percentage joining some branch of the military comes to about 12.5%.

According to Gehlen guidance counselor Kristin Hausmann, the number is higher this year than in the past.

“In previous years, one or two Gehlen Catholic graduates per year have entered the military following high school graduation,” she said.

Marine
Bradan Weber has opted to join the Marine Corps as he felt “it was the best fit for me out of all the branches.”

He pointed out that both of his grandfathers had served in the Army and mentioned everyone has been supportive of his decision to enter the military.

“It allows me to be able to learn a skill that I can use in the civilian world without taking on college debt while serving the country,” said Weber.

Air guard
Four the of five are joining the Iowa Air National Guard in Sioux City.

“I selected the Air National Guard because it allows me to still pursue a college education while also receiving the experience and benefits of the military,” said McCarty. “I also know of people who had joined this branch and loved it, so their advice and encouragement has played a big part.”

The military, he said, will be a great opportunity for him to get out of his comfort zone while gaining good experience and giving back to the country. In addition, McCarty cited it as a great financial decision.

Pearson, whose brother and sister-in-law are officers with the Army Reserve, mentioned he wanted to do something other than college right after high school – something that could help him pay for college. He thought the Air National Guard suited what he wanted to do.

“I also know people who are joining it with me and people that have been in it said it would be a very good choice for their future and they encouraged me to do it,” he said.

Gries mentioned that the Air National Guard is a great choice for her not only financially but physically and mentally.

“My Bompa (grandfather) Terry Sohm was a devoted member for many years and cousin Dylan Lehmann is presently in. They have inspired me so much to be a part of something greater like the Air National Guard,” she said, adding that an uncle also served in the air guard and her other grandfather and another uncle served in the Army.

Zubrod pointed out she selected to join the Air National Guard after some of her friends joined and encouraged her to explore the option.

“The military was a good choice for me because it will provide me opportunities to travel, meet new people, and experience valuable life lessons,” she said.

If students are not sure what to do after high school, Pearson said he would encourage them to look at the military.

“It’s going to help you financially, it’s going to give you some job experience and it always looks good on a job resume or college application,” he said.

The students mentioned that friends and family have been very supportive of this decision.

“Everybody I have told about my plans have been very supportive,” noted McCarty. “I think it helps that so many of my classmates are also taking the military route, so we are kind of in this process together.”

Pearson pointed out many have commented that the military is a good fit for him, but a few asked if this was really what he wanted to do. All of the feedback, though, has been positive.

While the military is something Gries mentioned she always wanted to do, she pointed out that she began talking about it about a year ago when exploring plans for the future. Two of her friends also opted to join.

“I love that I get to see them every month at drill and have friends I can talk to and relate to in this journey together,” said Gries.  

Gehlen education
The students also commented on how their time at Gehlen has prepared them for military service.

“My time at Gehlen has taught me how to communicate well with others and push myself outside of my comfort zone, which will be valuable skills in the military,” said Zubrod.

McCarty said his time at the school taught him to never take the easy route in life be it faith, academics, sports or other activities.

“This has led me to want to push myself further to become a better man, and I think the military will do just that,” he said. “I also think the value of discipline that Gehlen has taught me will help immensely in the military.”

While it’s not always easy to do, Pearson said his Catholic school education has taught him to put his future in God’s hands and know “it will all work out.”

As the days tick away in her senior year, Gries said she goes to school everyday happy that she gets to spend the time with classmates and friends.

“I am so grateful to have a school so supportive of this big decision in our lives and I am forever thankful for that,” she said.

Hausmann said the entire Gehlen Catholic family has been very supportive of these students and “we are proud of them as they take their talents into their next chapter.”