Moorhead High School is accustomed to celebrating student-athletes as they sign their letters of intent to play at the collegiate level. However, on Wednesday, April 8, the MHS trophy cases served as the backdrop for a different, equally momentous kind of commitment. For the first time, MHS hosted an official signing ceremony for students joining the Army National Guard, giving these future service members the fanfare and community recognition they deserve.
Organized by local recruiter Sergeant Kaden Murphy, the event brought together family, staff, and distinguished military leaders to honor the students’ dedication to their country and their futures.
Honoring Our Future Leaders
The ceremony celebrated the profound commitment of five outstanding MHS students who are stepping up to serve:
Bryan Nandjou 11B Infantry 2/136 Combined Arms Battalion
Tashauna-Kaye Powell 11B Infantry 2/136 Combined Arms Battalion
Sonny San 19K Tanker 2/136 Combined Arms Battalion
Gracie Parker 11B Infantry 2/136 Combined Arms Battalion
Surrounded by their loved ones and peers, these students put pen to paper, officially beginning their journey with the Army National Guard, a path that will provide them with invaluable leadership training, educational benefits and the opportunity to serve both their state and nation.
Words of Wisdom and Shared History
The event was marked by a keynote address from Brigadier General Jason P. Benson, who stood at the podium to personally welcome the recruits into the military family. Speaking directly to the students, Brigadier General Benson emphasized the magnitude of their decision, "By stepping forward today, you are making a profound commitment not just to your country, but to your own future. You are choosing a path of leadership, discipline and service. Be proud of the uniform you will wear and the community you represent."
Adding a personal and local connection to the ceremony, MHS teacher Chad Olson, who served alongside Brigadier General Benson in Bosnia, spoke to the students about the lifelong bonds formed in the military and the foundational character traits that service builds. His dual role as their educator and a fellow veteran provided a powerful bridge between their high school careers and their next chapter in uniform.
Sergeant Kaden Murphy, who worked closely with the students to guide them through the enlistment process, closed out the remarks by expressing his pride in their readiness to take on this challenge.
A Community United in Pride
By elevating this military commitment to the level of a traditional sports signing, Moorhead High School is proudly acknowledging that there are many paths to success after graduation. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or in uniform, the Spud community stands behind its students.