monticellotimes . com Monticello Graduation • Thursday , May 30 , 2024 Page 5
Eight graduates to join the military following high school
MONTICELLO — Eight members of Monticello High School ’ s Class of 2024 are bound for military service following graduation , including one valedictorian headed to West Point .
Almost all of the servicebound graduates are joining the U . S . Army in one form or another , with one enlisting in the Air Force .
Jack Geislinger , one of the 19 valedictorians in the senior class , has accepted an appointment as an Army cadet to the United States Military Academy at West Point , on a full-ride scholarship .
Geislinger ran track and field in high school while maintaining a 4.0-grade point average . He plans to continue track at West Point , running in Division 1 . He is planning to study business and engineering at West Point .
U . S . Military Service Academy appointments like this are selective and hard to achieve , according to Monticello School Board Chairwoman Kathy Ziebarth , herself a military veteran .
During a recent Monticello School Board meeting , Superintendent Eric Olson , left , poses with members of the Class of 2024 who will be joining the military . They include , from left , Jack Geislinger , Jason Jones , Dallas Christensen , Skylar Ellis , Jackson Montgomery , Zach Pugh and Alexander Froelich .
“ I don ’ t know when Monticello had the last appointment to a service academy , but it ’ s been a great while , I think ,” she said , noting it ’ s probably been about 20 years or more .
Congressman Tom Emmer , MN-6th District , announced that just five Minnesotans from the district have accepted U . S . Military Service Academy appointments — and Geislinger will be the only one attending West Point .
The privilege of attending one of these academies comes with the commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation , according to Emmer ’ s office .
Only one student , Zach Pugh , will be joining the U . S . Air Force .
Four of the students have enlisted in the Army National Guard . They are Dallas Christensen , Alexander Froelich , Jeremy Medved and Skylar Ellis , the only female from the graduating class to enter the military .
Senior Jason Jones has signed on for active duty in the Army Reserves , while Jackson Montgomery , an Eagle Scout , is headed for active duty in the Army ROTC .
Exchange students : Reflecting on their time at Monticello High School
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Alex Puigdollers Lopez , Spain : My favorite class was multiple sports in both semesters as it was a class where I could talk to people and meet new people .
Garazi Gurruchaga , Spain : I liked U . S . History class because I really like history and I think it was cool to learn something different to what I learn in history at home .
Stella Martino , Italy : I love the American school system , I liked all the classes I ’ m taking , especially art , U . S . history . I really loved to study history from an American point of view , like World War II .
Jan Micka , Czech Republic : I liked multiple sports .
Talk about your involvement with sports , clubs , the arts , or other activities at the high school .
Haifa Nurnayati , Indonesia : I joined the high school swimming team in JV during the fall season and knowledge bowl during winter .
Alex Puigdollers Lopez , Spain : I tried soccer first , then joined basketball and now I ’ m in track and AAU basketball at the wolves .
Garazi Gurruchaga , Spain : I practiced volleyball and basketball and it was a great experience .
Stella Martino , Italy : I enjoyed the cheer team , but I ’ ve never done a competition , because I didn ’ t want to be the cause of the victory or loss of the team .
Jan Micka , Czech Republic : I only played hockey .
What are your future plans ? What ’ s next for you as you prepare to leave Monticello ?
Haifa Nurnayati , Indonesia : After I go back , I will finish my one year left of high school in Indonesia and I will prepare myself to apply for pre-med school .
Alex Puigdollers Lopez , Spain : Having a good summer and then finishing high school .
Garazi Gurruchaga , Spain : I will finish my senior year in my school in Spain and I will go to college .
Stella Martino , Italy : I still have a year left in Italy . So at the end of the next year I ’ m going to have two diplomas , one from here and one from Italy . After my Italian graduation I would like to come back here for a year of college .
Jan Micka , Czech Republic : I have to finish my year in Czech school , so that ’ s going to be hard .
What do you want to say to your classmates as you are getting ready to finish the school year and go your separate ways ?
Haifa Nurnayati , Indonesia : Always have an ambition for something and take your education seriously . Don ’ t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone .
Alex Puigdollers Lopez , Spain : Thank you for dealing with my accent everyday , and I ’ m sure I ’ ll miss them all .
Garazi Gurruchaga , Spain : I hope they have a great life and I hope we can see each other again sometime .
Stella Martino , Italy : I wish them the best and hope they will find their way . I won ’ t ever forget them ; they will always have a special place in my heart .
Jan Micka , Czech Republic : Yes . I will miss them , but I ’ m looking forward to being back home with my Czech friends .