Bossier youth graduate Young Marines with top honors
By: Nikki Henderson
Updated: January 24, 2013
The 26th class of the Bossier Sheriff Young Marines graduated 38 recruits during a special ceremony.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Viking Drive Substation Tuesday to celebrate Bossier children who completed 13 weekends of leadership skills, physical training, team motivation and confidence building skills.
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
Meanwhile, applications are now being accepted for Class 27, which will hold orientation Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Viking Drive Substation. For more information about the Young Marines program you can call (318)965-3500.
