Two Port St. Joe 2022 graduates enlist in Navy
On Tuesday, surrounded by family, friends, teachers and mentors, two soon-to-be Port St. Joe High School graduates made the commitment to enlist in the United States Navy.
Nico Valenzuela and Timothy Zidik were presented with awards signifying their committment beofre signing the required agreement paperwork to the cheers of their peers.
“”It is a great day for these two young men and our country as they have embarked on an adventure to defend democracy and be leaders of freedom,” said Jeff Martin, the school’s naval science instructor who oversees the PSJHS NJROTC program.
“I have been asked why I am wearing the white Navy uniform today. This is to signify that the U.S. Navy is America’s ‘away team’,” he continued. “These two men are enlisting into the Naval Service, where approximately two thirds of the 365K active duty are forward deployed around the world ready to answer the call when needed.”
Zidik has enlisted to become a combat electrician, who may be called upon to repair high value electronic equipment in battle under duress.
Valenzuela has signed to become a mine technician, who may be clled upon to detect and disarm mines that could destroy or damage Navy ships.
Following the signing, Zidik, Valenzuela and their guests enjoyed refreshments before heading back to class.
Meet the Editor
Wendy Weitzel, The Star’s digital editor, joined the news outlet in August 2021, as a reporter covering primarily Gulf County.
Prior to then, she interned for Oklahoma-based news wire service Gaylord News and for Oklahoma City-based online newspaper NonDoc.com during her four years at the University of Oklahoma, from which she graduated in May with degrees in online journalism and political science.
While at OU, Weitzel was selected as Carnegie-Knight News21 Investigative Fellow among 30 top journalism students from around the country. She also was senior editor managing a 12-person newsroom in coordination with Oklahoma Watch, a non-profit news organization in eastern Oklahoma.