Addie McCluskey

Elmore Autauga News

The gymnasium at Prattville High School (PHS) was transformed into a hub of action on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, for the school’s first-ever Mission Day hosted by the Army National Guard.

Every year, the Army National Guard selects just two high schools per state to host Mission Day—an outreach event that gives students an immersive, hands-on look at the Guard’s diverse career roles.

“People always see joining the military as option Z,” said William Nance, recruiter for the Alabama Army National Guard. “This event helps people be more open-minded and see a little bit more about what the military has to offer.”

PHS was not originally on this year’s schedule, but after a last-minute cancellation on Friday, administrators quickly stepped in to book the event for their students.

“Anytime we can give a hands-on experience to our students, they appreciate that because they get to have fun while learning,” said Daniel Farris, principal at PHS. “It’s like a field day for them and exposes them to new opportunities.”

Through interactive simulations and virtual reality, PHS students participated in activities such as simulated search and rescue response, disaster relief, medical rescues, and hazmat cleanup to learn more about different military specialties and how they can get involved.

For the Army National Guard, Mission Day is about sparking curiosity and breaking stereotypes. For PHS students, it was a chance to discover new possibilities and gain a clearer picture of what it means to serve.

To learn more about the Army National Guard, visit https://nationalguard.com/.