With high school graduation on the horizon, Fort Liberty students and parents are preparing for a new chapter. Graduating military kids must decide whether to stay close to where their parents live now, or live in other places where they have loved ones’ support, education and job opportunities, or “home-like” roots.
The Fayetteville-Fort Liberty region offers many great ways for students to continue growing in their knowledge and skills and continue their journey beyond high school.
Upcoming recognition ceremony for students enlisting in the military
The Our Community Salutes Fayetteville chapter is hosting an event for parents, students and community members to recognize students joining the military at 7:00 p.m. May 1 at the Crown Coliseum, 1960 Coliseum Drive. Our Community Salutes is a national nonprofit that supports seniors in high school who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after they graduate.
Kenneth Hartman, founder of Our Community Salutes, told The Military Times that students joining the military largely received no recognition, part of which led him to establishing the organization.
John Gobrick, retired colonel and OCS Fayetteville Lead, said the upcoming event is expected to host 450 attendees, including dignitaries Robert Wilkie, former secretary of the Veterans Association; Maj. Gen. Colin P. Tuley, 18th Airborne Corps deputy commanding general; Command Sgt. Maj. (CSM) Bryan Barker, 18th Airborne Corps CSM, and more. The event will also include performances by the 82nd Airborne Division Chorus and Band.
Registration for the OCS High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m. on May 1 at the Crown Coliseum, but families and attendees are encouraged to register in advance. It is free for everyone to attend, but registration is required.
After the event, families are invited to engage with the organization’s Educational Pathways Program to support families in the transition with learning modules and podcasts directed toward family members, enlistees and guardians.
“With only 1% of our country's population that has served or is currently serving, these events are extremely important to the Services because they help recruiting efforts by spreading the word [about] the opportunities available through military service and the honor of service,” Gobrick said in an interview with CityView.
Local opportunities for graduates looking for abilities-specific support
For students with autism or other developmental disabilities planning to stay in the Fayetteville area and looking for extra support to achieve their goals, Miller’s Crew and ShineLight offer many opportunities.
Kim Molnar, executive director of Miller’s Crew, said the organization “provides job training, apprenticeship programs, and employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.” She said the organization offers a training program for individuals over 18 years old who want to gain skills needed to work in the Fayetteville community.
“We also help families who need guidance for the next step. We love to help our families,” she said. The organization also offers speech therapy through a partnership with Speech 4 Kidz, as well as additional resources through the Dorothy D. Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center and Alliance Behavioral Health.
To students graduating, Molnar says to “keep teaching, training and growing. All can learn and grow to the best of their ability. Time is a wonderful gift. Keep the faith.”
Another organization, ShineLight, partners with individuals with autism through residential support, community integration and supportive employment opportunities. Nikki Giovanni Creecy, founder and CEO of ShineLight says graduates planning to jump right into the workforce can access ShineLight supportive employment opportunities to help them find a job, acclimate to that job if they need it, and if they prefer, secure a job coach to go to work with them on a daily basis.
Creecy says it is important for military families to make sure they are connected to lifelong funding streams that are available for autism treatment and support services through Tricare and other entities. The Connect Foundation, a ShineLight adjacent nonprofit, supports families in identifying these funding streams. Creecy offers this encouragement to students with autism planning their next step: “Don’t limit yourself. The sky really is the limit. You can accomplish whatever you dream.”
Funding and educational opportunities for high school graduates
There are many military-specific funding and education opportunities in the Fayetteville-Fort Liberty region. Fayetteville State University offers military tuition scholarships. Fayetteville Technical Community College has offices around the area for military-affiliated individuals and families, and offers low-cost community skills classes and technical programs. Methodist University prioritizes flexibility for military-connected families and offers a variety of funding opportunities.
Check out some additional resources for education, connection and training below:
Take the next step with confidence
For military kids hoping to stay in the Fort Liberty region upon graduation, there are many opportunities to jump-start careers close to home. Whether enrolling in technical classes, starting college or jumping into the workforce, students can find resources right here to give them — and their parents — confidence for this new chapter. The best is truly yet to come!
Aria Spears writes for CityView’s Homefront initiative. She’s a writer, communications professional and civic leadership enthusiast. With a master’s degree in nonprofit and civic leadership, Aria can be found exploring cities, persuading people to join local civic boards and sharing her book “The Community Mapping Journal.” When it comes to active-duty military family life, she believes that joy makes us strong.
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