District 10 Congressman Mike Collins visited Putnam County High School on April 25 to attend the signing ceremony for graduating senior Tanner Lukens, who committed to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., where he plans to become a pilot.
In front of packed grandstands set up in the school’s Black Box Theatre, Collins and Lukens were joined by school principal Dr. Andrew Cooper, Putnam County Charter Schools Superintendent Derek Austin, Assistant Superintendent Scott Sauls, and Eatonton Mayor John Reid, among other local dignitaries.
Also attending were Lukens’ teammates on the PCHS baseball team, and cadets from the school’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Program, led by M Sgt. Michael Taylor and Lt. Col. Frank Adkinson.
Upon being introduced by PCHS Assistant Principal Dr. Dexter Dawson, Collins stressed that getting accepted into any U.S. military academy is a daunting challenge, requiring not only a congressional nomination but excellent credentials on the candidate’s part.
“There’s probably 15,000-plus people who fill out applications that want to go to these academies,” Collins said. “Well, they don’t take but on average around a thousand each; and then when you get to the Merchant Marines, they won’t take even 300, and I think this year’s class is probably going to be around 250. That in itself tells you what kind of competition Tanner was up against.”
Collins also mentioned Lukens’ role on the War Eagles baseball team and how he hopes to play for the Merchant Marine team next season, too.
“[Tanner] wants to do the extra and go and be a part of the athletic program up there as well. But it’s not just about your grades, your physical fitness, your leadership,” Collins said, praising Lukens’ “core moral character” and hard work in all he attempts.
“To see this young man and to read his bio and see his family, his moral character, he exudes that, and that’s good. That’s what we’re looking for in these academies. And finally, just a willingness to want to serve your country and our military,” Collins concluded before turning the stage over to Lukens.
The soon-to-be Putnam County grad began by thanking his mother and father, flanking him and Collins on each side, as well as Collins and then his JROTC leaders, Adkinson and Taylor.
Lukens also thanked his baseball coaches, Mike Phiel and later Stephen Phillips, as well as all his PCHS teachers, “who have blessed me with their knowledge to succeed not only academically, but as a student with good moral character. This opportunity means so much to me, and I couldn’t have wished for a better path for my future.”
Following the ceremony, Collins said he considered it “an honor” to nominate graduating high school students in District 10 to potential military academy placements.
“Look at how many young people in the 10th District go to our academies; I think we’re doing 14 signing ceremonies this year,” said Collins, adding that attending these signings is among his favorite official duties, especially given the current political climate.
“I look for these opportunities,” he said. “This is like a breath of fresh air some days. It’s really an honor just to be a part of this. And I’m just a small part; they do all the hard work, these students, this young man. I’m so proud of what he’s doing.”