CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Military students face a unique set of challenges compared to other students who aren’t from military families. Starting a new school in a different area multiple times throughout your childhood can be challenging. One student from the local Cannon Air Force Base community along with his peers took it upon themselves to ease the transition for incoming military students.
Brandon Mammano, son of Col. John Mammano, 27th Special Operations Medical Group commander, is president of the Clovis High School Student 2 Student committee.
“This is a club about welcoming other students,” Brandon said. “We find students having a hard time fitting in and help them.”
Brandon and two other students were recently chosen to be one of nearly 70 students nationwide to represent their school at the Military Child Education Coalition S2S Leadership Summit in Washington D.C. to discuss and develop programs to put into action.
“My favorite part of the summit was working with the other kids and building projects to come up with solutions,” Brandon said.
The summit consisted of students, sponsors and leaders all committed to improving military students’ college and career readiness.
The music-loving 10th-grader pitched a sponsorship program strategy similar what is done for military members at a new duty station, but for new military students at the leadership summit. The idea will reach fruition during the current school year.
“We will show new students around campus, ask them what they’re interested in and then suggest groups and activities for them to help with their transition,” said Brandon.
The work doesn’t stop there, Brandon and his S2S teammates around America will report in with the progress of their activities and share the info through social media and a newsletter.
“I want to try to find more new students and help all of them,” Brandon said.
In addition to being the president of S2S, Brandon enjoys being part of the swimming team and golfing. The sophomore plans on starting a career in engineering in the future. His father shared what Brandon’s accomplishments have meant to him.
“I’m so proud of Brandon and what he is trying to do to help other military kids and our community,” said Mammano. “He knows that it isn't easy being a military kid and that our kids go through a lot. When I look at my son, I see a real hero because he's not just helping a military kid, he's building a foundation for the future.”