Junior Leadership Las Cruces visits WSMR
The 2024 Junior Leadership Las Cruces, a leadership program for high school students sponsored by the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, visited White Sands Missile Range to explore the installation.
“The Junior Leadership visit every year is a great opportunity to tell the WSMR story and to expose high school students to the abundant STEM career opportunities here on the installation,” said Cammy Montoya, WSMR Public Affairs Specialist and Junior Leadership Day coordinator.
The day included rappelling with rappelling masters Ed Stahl and Ed Taitano, visiting the Cox Range Control Center, and lunch with WSMR Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Cordery.
“This program is for local high school juniors and is a great opportunity for them to understand military teachings in leadership and the impact White Sands Missile Range has on our community,” said Mandy Guss, Junior Leadership Facilitator.
“I am super excited about today and I always love learning new things. This is an experience you don’t get every day,” said Jeremiah Young, Arrowhead Park Early College High School junior student.
This program has helped to build leadership skills for hundreds of participants and has included WSMR in their military days for years while spreading awareness of career opportunities available to them on the range. The program connects students to local community leaders and provides professional development and mentoring as they prepare for college and planning career paths.