By Marin Murray.
Seniors Symone Cano and Ethan Atkins signed to join the Marines on Tuesday, April 2 in front of family and friends during a ceremony in the gym.
“I want them to accomplish big things,” JROTC instructor Lt. Col. Robert Davidson said. “Joining the Marine Corps; just enlisting and then finishing basic training is a big, big accomplishment. But I expect that they can do many more things beyond that to better themselves and our country.”
Cano and Atkins are members of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or JROTC. Both accredit their experiences in the class with helping them gain the skills needed to join the Marines, but for Cano, the inspiration was already there.
“I decided to join the Marines because my brother, before he passed away, decided he was going to join the Marines,” Cano said. “So, I’m just following that path. Plus, they’re really cool.”
Cano, who is also on the varsity soccer team, came to Abilene High her sophomore year, and a year later she joined JROTC.
“Symone came in last year, and she’s done some great things,” Davidson said. “She’s involved in other things outside of JROTC, but she’s a leader in the classroom and she’s done well in the program.”
After she participates in basic training over the summer, Cano will have the opportunity to be instantly promoted as a result of the training she has received as part of JROTC. However, she is most looking forward to the relationships she will be able to build while in the Marines.
“It’ll definitely instill a new commitment towards family, friends, brotherhood and sisterhood with all of the people I go in with,” Cano said. “And then it will also instill integrity and things like that.”
Just like his classmate, Atkins feels as though the lessons he has learned and the experiences he has participated in through JROTC has prepared him for the Marines Reserves.
“JROTC definitely helped me a lot,” Atkins said. “It prepared me for the discipline part of it and getting into exercises, dedication and commitment.”
Atkins, who Davidson describes as a natural-born leader, has been highly involved in JROTC throughout his high school career and hopes to earn his bachelor’s degree and go through pilot’s training after his time in the Marines.
“We’ve had Ethan since the second semester of sophomore year, and he came in just wanting to take charge of things and reinvigorate different programs in JROTC,” Davidson said. “He’s done exactly that. He reinvigorated many programs and he’s done a lot of work. He’s been a good spark to our program.”
In addition to JROTC, Atkins is also a member of the marching band and winter guard, where he also holds leadership roles. Additionally, Atkins recently earned a nomination for Mr. AHS, the highest honor a senior can receive.
“My experience in JROTC has been very awesome,” Atkins said. “I’ve gotten to lead a lot of people. I’ve helped people learn new things and taught them how to be a better person.”
Davidson has big aspirations for his cadets, who serve as positive examples to their younger classmates, and thinks that joining the Marines will teach them a lot.
“I think they’re going to learn that they can do more than they think they can,” Davidson said. “I think it’s going to make them a better man and a better woman. I think that they’re going to learn some things about themselves. I think it’s going to be a time of good learning.”
