The 26th class of the Bossier Sheriff Young Marines graduated 38 young men and women during a ceremony at the Viking Drive Substation this week.
Maj. Kesha Harris, supervisor of jail operations for the Bossier Sheriff’s Maximum, Medium, and Minimum Security Facilities and the Transitional Work Program, was the guest speaker. The 15-year-veteran of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office encouraged the recruits to stay and school, never give up and remember to look in the mirror when they starting placing the blame on their circumstances.
Awards were given in four categories: Academic award went to Christopher R. Hunter; Physical Fitness award was given to Tristan S. Bogan; Most Improved Award went to Javarie C. Kirkendoll; and the Honor Graduate was Joseph D. Mitchell.
Six recruits were meritoriously promoted to Young Marine/Private First Class: Kobe M. Byrge, Cory D. Cox, Jarod T. Hamilton, Joseph D. Mitchell, Nicholas C. Oliver and James T. Whitton. The Floyd L. Baxter, Red River Detachment of the Marine Corps League Award was presented to Ray J. Cox.
The commanding officer of the Bossier Sheriff Young Marines is Deputy Steve Hoff, an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and 1980 graduate of Parkway High School. Assisting with the instruction are volunteer instructors from the United States Marine Corps assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines here in Bossier City.
Graduates of Bossier Sheriff Young Marines Class 26 are: Alohalani A. Ah-Mu, Tristan S. Bogan, Jayson J. Britton, Javis M. Brown, Anthony D. Buckman, Kobe M. Byrge, Robert L. Cook, Cory D. Cox, Ray J. Cox, Detravion D. Dailey, Kendra B. DeMary, Caleb N. Dillick, Kyler L. Faustner, Brianna F. Fisher, Tyeyon S. Ford, Raven S. Goodrum, Chere' M. Granath, Jason R. Granath, Jarod T. Hamilton, Chrishaun D. Harris, Ethan F. Hartshorn, Aleia S. Henderson, Trevon A. Hill, Donzell L. Hogan, Christopher R. Hunter, Trenton C. Jennings, Teryn Jordan, Lonnie R. Keith, Shadow J. Kellogg, Javarie C. Kirkendoll, Alexander V. Martin, Joseph D. Mitchell, Nicholas C. Oliver, Jason R. Owens, Louis D. Smith, Levi J. Stoddard, Leonard J. Tapo III, James T. Whitton.
Applications are now being accepted for Class 27, which will hold orientation Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Viking Drive Substation. Applications can be picked up at the substation. Call 318-965-3500 for more information. The Young Marines program is open to all Bossier Parish school-aged youth, ages 8-18, and is sponsored and administered by Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington and the Bossier Sheriff's Office.
