Carport Central proud to donate to the AFJROTC as part of North Surry High School’s Senior Awards Ceremony

Dakota Elizabeth Goss spent two years in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) during her time as a student at North Surry High School, and she credits it as being a life-changing experience for her. For this reason, she felt especially honored to be able to represent Carport Central at the recent NSHS Senior Awards Day and present the AFJROTC with a check for $3,000.

Goss, who is now a Marketing Director for Carport Central, shared these remarks during the awards ceremony, held at North Surry on May 24, 2019: “This money will be used throughout the year to enable the AFJROTC to continue doing even more to honor our veterans, as well as those who are currently serving our country. Carport Central has been amazed at the dedication of all these AFJROTC cadets, and we’re honored to present you with this check today … As some of you know, I once walked the halls of this school wearing my uniform. I felt just as honored to wear that uniform then as those standing around me do right now. As I was talking to Colonel John Bowes the other day, I mentioned to him how much this program has changed my life … When I stand here today and tell you that I am a more successful person because of this program, you need to believe it. I would like to thank each and every cadet in the AFJROTC for their dedication to this school, to our military, and to our country.”

This year Colonel Bowes asked the current cadets to each write an essay about what motivates them to wear the uniform in high school, and how their experience in AFJROTC is shaping the life decisions that they’re now making. Goss had the privilege of choosing one to be read during the ceremony, and she selected the essay written by Cadet Kelli Atkins. After Cadet Atkins read her essay, NSHS Cadet Commanders and current seniors Katherine Hartgraves, Reid Walker, and Quinn Walker received the check from Carport Central on behalf of the AFJROTC.

Since the Senior Awards Day falls so close to Memorial Day, Goss was later asked what Memorial Day means to her. She said, “It means doing everything we can to show how appreciative we are of these very dedicated and selfless individuals that have given us the opportunity to live in a free country. They gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Carport Central is appreciative of all the men and women who serve and have served our country, and that also includes the families who stand and have stood behind those men and women throughout their military journey for our country. And we owe a special debt of gratitude for those who gave everything to defend this nation and its freedoms. So again, we say thank you.

And thank you to Dakota Elizabeth Goss for being such a great representative for Carport Central – we’re so glad to have you as a part of our family!