She is a Young Marine and carries the rank of sergeant major, which puts her in charge of the Bakersfield unit — about 80 youth strong. They look to her for weekly training, educational activities, and community service commitments.
That’s a tall order for the approximate 5’5”, sweet-voiced teen who, by the way, is also Young Miss Kern County.
“I love to help, I love to give, and I love to be that role model for them,” said the Stockdale High 3.5 GPA junior. “The Young Marines changed me. I would not be the person that I am today.”
Not too bad for a teen who once hated the idea of joining the program when she was eight years old.
Just go through boot camp, her parents suggested, and if you still want to leave, then the choice is yours.
She never left.
Today, she is up for Young Marine of the Year for the division, which represents nine western states.
The Bakersfield Young Marines is a nonprofit group that relies on volunteers to help teach youngsters the values of honor, courage, and commitment.
They are introduced to leadership, character-building skills and expected to live health, drug-free lifestyles, said Pamela Schull, adjutant of the Bakersfield Young Marines and Elizabeth’s mother. Pamela Schull who works with foster youth in group homes began as a volunteer 10 years ago and saw firsthand how the program influenced youth in the positive way.
“We have kids of all socioeconomic levels — kids raised by grandparents, in foster care, from normal households,” Pamela Schull said. “But together, they’re not a certain class. Together, they’re one. This is their family.”
This family comes in the form of boys and girls, anywhere between the ages of 8 to 18. It’s the U.S. Marine Corps’ official youth program, but you don’t have to be military destined to join.
They must go through boot camp for a couple of weeks and are known as “recruits” before graduating and promoting through ranks over time.
Some Young Marines travel as far as Frazier Park, Maricopa and Delano to be a part of the program.
A huge part of the program’s focus is community service. Last year, they logged in more than 20,000 hours, supporting events such as the Great American Cleanup, Red Ribbon Week, Toys for Tots, and Veterans Appreciation Week.
And while the program appears to making a difference, it is need of help this holiday seasons.
Topping the list is more adult volunteers, said Young Marine First Sergeant Haylee Martin.
“We’re always looking for staff members,” said the West High junior and a six-year Young Marine. “It’s kinda hard with five members.”
Current staff members come from a variety of backgrounds, mainly military and law enforcement.
Martin said it’d be nice to have guest speakers in leadership or career roles to discuss their profession.
“All of us motivate each other,” she said. “We’re like a family.”
Young Marine Corporal James Terrazas it would be nice if someone could donate a computer to the program because right now, they only have one and it’s probably the “slowest computer ever.” As a result, staff volunteers conduct a lot of the classwork using their personal computers from home and running copies from home.
Other needs include a projector for class instruction. Additional computers for the Young Marines would also be nice.
Terrazas joined the program, following his footsteps of his brother, Joe, who is now USMC lance corporal stationed at Camp Pendleton.
“If I didn’t have the Young Marines teaching me integrity, then I’d probably doing stupid stuff,” said the 14-year-old Ridgeview High student who grew up on the “south side” of town. “I really want to thank the staff for helping me.”
There’s value in supporting a program like this, said Young Marine Staff Sergeant Adrian Cabral who join the Marine Corps after graduating from East High. It’s a long-term investment that can change the direction of any youth.
Cabral who grew up on the “east side” said he remembers being that troubled kid in need of direction when his family signed him up at age 10. Respect for no one — that was his motto.
“I used to be a bad kid before I joined the Young Marines,” said Cabral, now 16 and one of the politest teenage boys I have ever met. He credits the staff and fellow Young Marines.
“It changed the way I see things in life. I learned about leadership, integrity, how to say no to friends. You become a better person.”
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