A group of Poughkeepsie High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or AFJROTC, took part in Rep. Pat Ryan’s swearing-in ceremony Saturday, Jan. 18.
The students were asked to attend by the congressman’s team. They led the Pledge of Allegiance at the event, held at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park.
Ryan is beginning his second full term representing the 18th Congressional District, which includes Poughkeepsie, after initially winning a special election to represent the 19th District in August 2022.
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Ryan made special mention of the “incredible” Poughkeepsie AFJROTC students, as well as the West Point cadets in attendance. The Poughkeepsie students also had a chance to ask the West Point students questions.
“The congressman had them stand and thanked them for giving up their time and putting on their uniforms on a Saturday to be a part of his ceremony,” Poughkeepsie AFJROTC Chief Mary Wagner said. “They appreciated the recognition. These are the opportunities that AFJROTC offers students that participate in our program.”
Cadet Capt. Pixie Brown, the deputy squadron commander, called it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” She said the cadets had an opportunity to meet Ryan and speak with such elected officials as state Sen. Rob Rolison. “It was very educational and memorable.”
Six Poughkeepsie students took part in all: Javon Aiken-Young, Jumark Baxter, Angel Martinez, Brandon Noriega, Karyme Perez-Rojas and Brown.
Leaders from across the state who attended included Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and others.
Brown said she was “honored” after Ryan said she “did a good job taking command of my formation” and Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati “complimented me on my command voice.”
The Poughkeepsie AFJROTC recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its forming at the school.
“I thought it was an amazing experience for our cadets,” Wagner said. “How often do they get an opportunity to participate in a swearing-in ceremony of a congressman and hear from the top leadership of their state?”
