10-05-2025
Seniors entering military get community support
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Numerous long-time military members came to Edgewood High School Thursday evening to give graduating seniors entering the military a better send off than they received at the annual Rite of Passage Ceremony.
Rev. Fred Grimm said he believes it is important to support the students entering the military.
'When I graduated in '66 they said goodbye and keep your head down,' he said with a laugh.
He said it is important to let these seniors know they are appreciated. Grimm spent many years in two different branches of the military, and has long supported veterans causes while serving as a Lutheran pastor.
Bruce Hook, of Geneva, said he, too, thinks it is important to support the young men and women willing to serve their country.
'I went in 1978 and we just turned all-volunteer [military] and everyone thought we were losers,' he said.
He said he wanted to serve, but was scared when he was dropped off to start his life in the military.
'My parents had to work so my sister took me,' he said.
Hook said he spent two and a half years active duty U.S. Air Force and 20.5 years in the reserves.
The Rite of Passage Ceremony was started by Ben Schwartfigure, executive director of the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission, with the assistance of a variety of veterans organizations.
Schwartfigure said he believes it is important to let the high school seniors know the community appreciates them serving their country. The event also introduces them to the services offered by the VSC.
'When they get out of the military in four years, 20 years or 30 years, they need to go to their county and sign up for benefits,' Schwartfigure said. He said it is important for them to know the benefits that will be available to them for the rest of their lives.
Pymatuning Valley High School Principal Mark Mollohan said he believes the ceremony is very important, because students going to the military often get lost in the spring celebrations of athletes, academic achievement and college choices.
'Last year, we had one enlisting in the Army, this year we have two, one in the Army and one in the Marines,' he said.
Schwartfigure opened the ceremony, and Edgewood High School Principal Mike Notar thanked the students for their service.
'We stand behind you as you make the bold step,' he said.
William Runyan, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was the keynote speaker for the event.
'Thank you all of you in the front row [where the soon-to-be graduates were seated] who have made a commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces,' he said.
The students honored as they enter the U.S. Army were were Makayla Spaid of Edgewood High School, Alexander Battaglioli, A-Tech from Jefferson, and Landen Coder, of Pymatuning Valley High School.
Aiden Farr, of Edgewood High School, Nicholas Hezebicks, of Jefferson High School, and Timothy Frabotta, of A-Tech from Geneva, are entering the U.S. Army Reserves.
The U.S. Army National Guard has three Edgewood High School seniors: Brayden Vatananonh, Aidan Burch and Chris Skwera.
Three county seniors, Daniel Hutchins, of Saint John School, Jerrod Addair Jr., of Lakeside High School, and Damon Brainard, of Pymatuning Valley High School, are enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The final three students that were honored were Jayden Dragon, of Edgewood, entering the U.S. Air Force, and Jaiden Ralston, of Conneaut High School, and and Colin Cantrell, of A-Tech from Geneva, joining the U.S. Navy.
