Exciting Opportunities Await Aiken Students at Army STEM Event
Aiken, SC —
On November 14th, the halls of Aiken High School buzzed with excitement as a platoon-sized group of U.S. Army soldiers arrived to introduce students to the many thrilling career paths available in military service. With a spotlight on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), nearly 40 recruiters and specialists transformed the school into an immersive learning experience for students.
Nina Dorman, the school’s enthusiastic career specialist who organized the event, expressed her passion for exposing students to these opportunities. “I’m just trying to expose them to the wonderful possibilities and encourage them to consider it,” she said with a smile.
Students from not only Aiken High but also from South Aiken, Wagener-Salley, Silver Bluff, and Midland Valley High Schools participated, with 30 representatives from each school joining in on the fun. “This is such a fantastic opportunity for our students to get hands-on experience and engage in conversations with military professionals,” said Sharon Worley, coordinator of counseling and career services for the Aiken County school district.
Larry Millstead, the district’s lead career specialist, emphasized how valuable this interaction was for students. “They can see the variety of career opportunities the military offers that they might not realize exist. With the chance to engage face-to-face with soldiers, students also get to experience some hands-on activities,” he explained.
As students streamed into the gym, they found themselves surrounded by a blend of physical challenges and captivating displays centered around cyber security and emergency medicine. Capt. Page Mackey, the brigade surgeon for the 15th Signal Brigade at Fort Eisenhower, demonstrated how to use a nasopharyngeal airway, allowing students to practice making medical interventions on a training mannequin. “They’re really interested in looking at the mannequin, and sure, it might seem a bit gruesome, but it absolutely draws them in,” she remarked, expertly guiding a student through the process.
Combat medic Specialist Shawn Riley echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of learning lifesaving skills. “Knowing how to use a tourniquet is so essential. You never know when you might need it,” he explained, adding, “It only takes about three minutes to bleed out from a serious injury, so time is everything.”
Among the eager learners was ninth grader Derihanna Dunbar, who shared her aspirations of becoming a nurse. After practicing with the tourniquet on the mannequin, she said, “This makes me want to be a nurse even more!”
The excitement didn’t stop there. Students could also explore high-tech simulators parked behind the auditorium, offering a taste of what it’s like to drive military vehicles and engage in special operations. Sgt. First Class Jay Blankenship was on hand to assist students in experiencing a virtual skydiving simulation. “Here, put on these goggles and get a feel for how it might really be,” he told a thrilled Larry Tyler, a senior at Aiken High.
“Wow, that was good, but I can’t imagine the real thing!” Larry laughed after his virtual jump, bonding with recruiters about military roles that piqued his interest in automotive mechanics.
Capt. Marques Bonner, the recruiting company commander based at Fort Eisenhower, talked about the annual opportunities they provide to high school students. “It’s all about spreading the word and helping students visualize their future. Many have an idea of what they want to do but may not see the path to get there,” he shared.
With the sun shining brightly down on Aiken and a welcoming atmosphere surrounding them, students departed with their heads full of new ideas, career possibilities, and perhaps a little inspiration to explore what could be next.
For those students, the Army STEM recruiting event was not just another day at school — it was a glimpse into a world packed with adventure, innovation, and growth!
