A formal ceremony to honor military-bound high school seniors from Camden County – including several from Pennsauken – took place on May 19 at the Mansion in Voorhees. Over 300 people were in attendance, including the families of the enlistees, local celebrities, elected officials, area college presidents and school administrators, high school counselors, representatives from all Camden County veteran’s organizations, and high ranking military officers from all five branches.
The program was made possible through the efforts of an all-volunteer non-profit organization, Our Community Salutes (OCS). OCS began in 2009 in Camden County and is now being duplicated in nearly 40 communities throughout the US.
“This is a time for us to thank and honor the high school graduates going into the Service who often receive little recognition,” said the OCS President and Founder, Kenneth Hartman, Ed.D. “These young men and women may be going off to war and need our praise, guidance and support.”
The following local enlistees were recognized at the event:
Pennsauken High School
- Lorenzo Morales, US Army
- Nhiem Bien, US Marines
- Cheavin Kim, US Marines
- Imani Glover, US Navy
- Andrea Perez, US Army National Guard
- Nini Tran, US Army National Guard
- Thang Ngo, US Army National Guard
Camden County Technical School – Pennsauken Campus
- Luis Mansilla, US Army
Pennsauken Counselor Honored
In addition to the over 50 students recognized at the formal ceremony, Dennis Armento, a counselor at Pennsauken High School, received the General Colin L. Powell Service Award. The annual award recognizes the critical responsibilities high school counselors have in providing guidance, counseling and mentoring; and, in educating, coaching and assisting all students as they assess their accomplishments, talents, interests and aspirations.
