Congratulations to Eleanor Goodin from Davenport North High School for winning the Army SSG Ryan Christian Knauss Merit Scholarship 2025-2026 at her school in Davenport, Iowa! This was a particularly special honor since Eleanor’s 19 year old aunt was killed in action. Therefore, Eleanor comes from a Gold Star Family. Her aunt, Army PFC Katie Soenksen, was killed in Iraq in 2007. Coincidentally, the weekend of this JROTC awards ceremony was the 19th anniversary of PFC Soenksen’s death.  It was a privilege to honor Eleanor’s grandparents, mother, and father as we also awarded Eleanor. We also recognized other GoldStar families in the audience who were present during the ceremony, too. These JROTC award ceremonies mean so much to us. Imagine being able to witness the 1% of our nation stepping into the boots of great heroes who founded and protected with their very lives the people and its principles that make our nation desired by many around the globe! Much appreciation to JROTC Senior instructors like veterans Joe Odorizzi who was a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, Retired and is now a Senior Army Instructor at Davenport Army JROTC with his partner veteran 1st Sgt. (Ret.) Schenck. Without our veterans giving back to these young cadets, it would be nearly impossible to train the Best of Us for military preparedness during their high school years like Ryan was also. Much appreciation to our Respect and Remember Vice President, Dustin Atteberry, also an Army veteran, who attended Davenport’s JROTC awards ceremony and heads up the Iowa JROTC participating schools for The Respect and Remember Foundation. Well done, Eleanor! Soar high serving in the Airforce!