BCHS Graduates Serve Bravely
By Eagle Staff
Veterans Day is a day to gather in local communities to honor those who have bravely served and are serving this country. As citizens across the nation continue to benefit from the many freedoms granted through the United States Constitution it is important that the people of the United States continue to give thanks to those who help guarantee their protection and the right to religious freedom. Students at Bakersfield Christian High School have examples from within their own peer groups of young people who have continued to live out this call of duty on a daily basis when they joined the military in many different branches
Trinity Backhaus, Nathan Roodzant, and Noah Reese are just a few of the recent 2019 graduates who have left the comfort of their homes, families and communities to serve. Backhaus signed with the Air Force to become a broadcast journalist after she studied in 2019 in Yearbook and Broadcast classes at BCHS. Backhaus stated, “Through me people will be able to see the love I have for Jesus and for my country through my actions and how I present myself.” Backhaus shared, “Although I have had some rough times and some getting used to since I joined the military I would not have picked any other career path for myself because I have already created bonds with people in the military that are amazing. I know I am part of something that is bigger than myself.
BCHS Alum Roodzant also received the nomination for the Naval Academy from Congressman Kevin McCarthy. He has the aspiration to become a fighter pilot to help keep America free. Roodzant stated, “I will be joining the Fleet in four years after I graduate from college. I had a class called Seamanship and Navigation that required me to drive a 70 foot naval ship.
BCHS Noah Reese also joined the Air Force to work in the medical field, as a translator or a helicopter/drone mechanic. He said his goal is to leave a significant impact on the world either domestically or abroad to help the country and its citizens.
Other students currently attending BCHS also have hopes and aspirations to follow in the footsteps of these students and others who have gone before them in joining the military. Ashton Gaines is seeking nomination from Congressmen Kevin McCarthy for the service academies as well.
Incoming freshman Matthew Kightlinger has his sights set on this path at an early age. A member of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Program Kightlinger specifically chose to come to BCHS to receive rigorous academic training to increase his chances of earning the nomination for the service academies when his time comes in a few years. His parents gave him the choice to either attend public high school and they would purchase him a plane to earn his hours flying for his license or attend BCHS instead. “I chose BCHS over the plane because I knew I would need the strongest academic environment to help prepare me for my future in the military,” said Kightlinger.
Students interested in these service opportunities should contact their academic advisors for more information. To share stories of other BCHS graduates who have served or are serving in the military, please email Executive Editor Andrea Venegas at [email protected]
Thank You to These Bakersfield Christian Graduates* For Their Service To Our Country:
Savannah August 2015 U.S. Navy
Trinity Backhaus 2019 U.S. Air Force
John Bennett 1995 U.S. Marine Corps
Samuel Burgess 2010 U.S. Army
Nelson Chandler 2015 U.S. Navy
Devin Crabtree 2016 U.S. Marine Corps
Court Fimple 1992 U.S. Army
Jacob Fulce 2011 U.S. Marine Corps
Joseph Gerdeman 2012 U.S. Marine Corps
Brian Good 1995 U.S. Navy
Peter Grant 2007 U.S. Coast Guard
Brett Hallstrom 2011 U.S. Marine Corps
Celia Hickman 2016 U.S. Marine Corps
Kevin Imke 1982 U.S. Navy
Luc Irey 2018 U.S. Air Force
Craig Kennemer 2009 U.S. Army
Kalvin Kirkwood 2012 U.S. Army
Neil Kramer 1982 U.S. Army
Jonathan Loman 2016 U.S. Marine Corps
Tyler Lozano 2015 U.S. Marine Corps
Tara (Miller) Pate 2013 U.S. Marine Corp
Zachary Nielsen 2018 U.S. Marine Corps
Mike Niemann, Jr. 1990 U.S. Army
Scott Porto 1994 U.S. Navy
Cadiz (Prince) Crain 2011 U.S. Navy
Noah Reese 2019 U.S. Air Force
Cameron Reeves 2016 U.S. Navy
Levi Rickett 2009 U.S. Army
Nathan Roodzant 2019 U. S. Navy
Matt Smith 2015 U.S. Air Force
Christina Soderstrom 2013 U.S. Air Force
Matt Soderstrom 2012 U.S. Air Force
Benjamin Spiva 2015 U.S. Air Force
Tyrone Taylor 1995 U.S. Marine Corpos
Mike Tuey 1985 U.S. Air Force
Nathan Witymer 2006 U.S. Air Force
Robert Wood 2013 U.S. Army
Kevin Yarian 2012 U.S. Army
Mariner Winter 2016 U.S. Navy
*If you know of other BCHS graduates who serve in the military, please contact Executive Editor Andrea Venegas at the above email address to share a photo and information to be added to the Eagle Post slide show collection.