April 25 Military Commitment Ceremony Honors Seniors Joining Service

We invite our community to join us on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. as we celebrate the Lakota East and Lakota West Class of 2023 seniors who have made a commitment to enter a branch of service after graduation. In addition to the traditional in-person ceremony open to the public, the district will live stream the program on West Chester Township’s YouTube channel and host a week-long military family spirit week in all Lakota schools. 

Any senior who has committed, or is in the process of committing to service, can still complete this short Google form or sign up with your guidance counselor by April 7. The form is also available on the “seniors” page of the Lakota East, Lakota West and Lakota Central high schools’ websites.

This will be the district’s sixth annual Military Commitment Ceremony. “We want our students to know that enlistment is as much a post-graduation option as enrollment in college or immediate employment in the workforce,” said Interim Superintendent Robb Vogelmann. “We are very excited to celebrate our students who have chosen such an honorable path.” 

This year’s keynote speaker will be Commander Mark P. Aguilar, a 2002 Lakota East High School graduate who currently serves as the U.S. Coast Guard Liaison Officer and Department of Homeland Security Senior Advisor to the U.S. Transportation Command. The program will also feature select student speakers and special musical arrangements prepared by both high schools’ choirs. 

If you cannot join in person, visit West Chester Township’s YouTube channel on April 25 at 7 p.m. to participate in the live stream. 

To coincide with the ceremony and in recognition of April as the “Month of the Military Child,” Lakota students and staff at all grade levels are encouraged to participate in a district-wide military family spirit week from April 24-28.