Medina County students recognized for military commitment

BRUNSWICK — Medina County students raised their right hand and took the oath of enlistment in front of their family, friends and peers on Tuesday. The third annual military commitment ceremony took place at Brunswick High School, and recognized students from schools across Medina County who will join the military after graduation. Brunswick High School Principal Keith Merrill said the event is at the core of who he is as a person. He is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. "Each and every step I made, skill I learned and experience I had made me a better soldier, a better team member and, more importantly, the person who I am today," he said. "The military taught me discipline, perseverance, adaptability and how to critically think." Cmdr. Mike Dovilla from the U.S. Navy Reserves was the guest speaker for Tuesday's ceremony. He thanked the students for their decision to join the military and expressed gratitude for the people in their lives who are supporting them. "It's truly a privilege to be with each of you together this morning to recognize the act of patriotism, service and duty that the young citizens of our community have chosen to take," he said. "It is right that we should do this, for it is a noble and an honorable thing that they are doing." The following students were recognized: Anthony Artwell, from Cloverleaf, is joining the Marine Corps. Blaine Chrisman, from Medina, has an Army ROTC scholarship. Trevor Cutlip, from Buckeye, is joining the Marine Corps. Clayton Ethington, from Cloverleaf, is joining the Navy. Damion Floyd, from Medina Christian Academy, is joining the Navy. Joe Giuttari, from Cloverleaf, is joining the Navy. Zachary Greene, from Medina is, joining the Navy. Teddy Gurtsak, from Brunswick, is joining the Air Force ROTC. Easton Kemp, from Cloverleaf, is joining the Air Force. Dominic Matias, from Medina, is joining the Navy. Carson Motz, from Cloverleaf, is joining the Air Force. Sean Payn, from Wadsworth, is joining the Navy. Torron Phillips, from Brunswick, is joining the Marine Corps. Manny Popov, from Brunswick, is joining the Marine Corps. Brian Rhodes, from Brunswick, is joining the Navy. Dylan Sickle, from Buckeye, is joining the Navy. Logan Smiechowski, from Wadsworth, is joining the Space Force. Tyler Thomas, from Cloverleaf, is joining the Marine Corps. Andrew Tick, from Brunswick, is joining the Navy. Dylan Witkowski, from Brunswick, is joining the Marine Corps. Jonathon Yagersz, from Cloverleaf, is joining the Air Force. "I want you to witness and hear the words they took when they raised their right hand and decided to serve our country," Merrill said. "Nothing makes me prouder than to see our students take an oath to serve." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.