Roman Balbag and dozens of his local peers were in the spotlight May 18 at the USC Aiken Convocation Center, with their senior year winding down and the U.S. military on course to play major roles in their futures.
Balbag, a senior at North Augusta High School, received a major commendation at a gala presented by the local chapter of Our Community Salutes, an organization aiming “to support the next generation of patriots enlisting” in the military after graduating from high school, as described in promotional material. He is on track to join the Marine Corps, with plans to report to Parris Island this summer.
The honor, the Gary Beikirch Award, is in memory of a Green Beret and Medal of Honor recipient who served in Vietnam and went on to become a major booster of Our Community Salutes’ efforts in the Aiken area.
Nominees for the inaugural award were considered on the basis of living “a life of significance through demonstrated actions, words and behavior,” exhibiting “character traits of selflessness, integrity, leadership and a consistent record of community service,” accepting “others for who they are” and treating others with kindness. Nominations were accepted from school counselors with input from JROTC instructors, teachers, coaches and faculty.
Balbag is a relative newcomer to North Augusta High School, having spent the previous three years attending T.W. Josey High, in Augusta. He said he is seriously considering the military as a career field, with possible emphasis on psychology, in an effort to help those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He considers himself an effective motivator and is also considering work as a fitness coach, he added.
Other enlistees honored at the event were Robert Murphy, with Silver Bluff; Trentee Bamberg and Michael Chavis, both with Blackville-Hilda; Stephen Pigman and Marshall Warren, both with Barnwell; Jackson Glover and Gabriel Brown, both with Midland Valley; and Jaylen Johnson, Cameron Hammonds, Sydney Smith, Katelyn Smith, Khaliah Moody and Maria Racaza, all with Aiken.
Completing the list were Dakireah Wise, Portia Hubbs, Kevin Harris, Tucker Christensen and Johnny Blagg, all with South Aiken; Delbert Egan, William Hecker, Brian Key, Addison Loflin and Joshua Stuart, all with Strom Thurmond; LaShiontea Aranda, Wesley Ellis, Jeffrey Greenway, Joseph Jordan, Grace McKenzie, Evan Price, Kenyce Rodriguez, Maliky Thomas and Jada Tullis, all with North Augusta.