Top Photo: Colonel Ryan Richardson visited Stanhope Elmore High School and Presented 11th grade student Alex Caylor with a certificate and coin from the 42nd Air Base Wing.
By Amanda Pevey
Elmore/Autauga News
On Friday, April 28th Guest Speaker Col. Ryan Richardson, 42d Air Base Wing Commander at Maxwell Air Force Base visited Stanhope Elmore High School. He presented a certificate and coin to 11th grade student Alex Caylor for winning a recent essay contest. Caylor was one of two winners to receive this award. Maxwell AFB hosted the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Memorial Wall in Montgomery, Alabama in March. As part of the event, Maxwell AFB asked high school students and middle school students from the river region to participate in an essay contest with the theme “Honoring All Who Served.” Presenter Col. Richardson read the essay to the entire JROTC class, and the special guests that attended. Special guests included Principal Ewell Fuller; Jamey McGowin, Director of Secondary Education; Ayena Jackson, Middle School Director; Shay Jackson, Senior Coordinator of Secondary Curriculum Military Liaison for ECPS; and Superintendent Richard Dennis.
The Award-Winning Essay written by Caylor was honoring Vietnam Veterans. He wrote about some of the challenges they faced and ways to support them.
Leslie Caylor, Instructional Coach for SE and Mother of Alex Caylor, was also in attendance during the presentation.
“Thank you to Col. Bonasera and 1st Sgt. Chambers for all they do to encourage the students to participate in competitions like this,” said Leslie Caylor. Caylor continued, “They do an amazing job with our JROTC, and I am proud of them and Alex for what they’ve accomplished.
Alex Caylor spoke to EAN and wanted to say a few words of gratitude.
“It was a real honor to meet the Colonel and I am very glad for the opportunity to honor our veterans,” said Caylor. “I want to say thank you to Colonel B and 1st Sgt. Chambers for motivating me and giving me the opportunity to do so.”
“It was an honor to have Colonel Richardson visit and do the presentation to Alex Caylor today,” said Superintendent Dennis. “Alex did a great job on recognizing Vietnam veterans and represented Stanhope Elmore and the Stanhope Elmore JROTC with excellence.”
For more information about Stanhope Elmore High School please visit their website at: https://stanhope.ech.schoolinsites.com
