SD Guard hosts educational, fun-filled event for students

Photo By Pfc. Jennifer Lena | U.S. Army Sgt. Shane Steinhour, South Dakota Army National Guard recruiter, plays basketball with Sturgis Brown High School student Grayson Nelson during the “I Hate Winter” event sponsored by the South Dakota Army National Guard and the school’s Youth Leadership Team Jan. 9, 2015, in the school’s gym. The event gives the students an opportunity to speak face-to-face with members of the National Guard and gain insight into the role of the National Guard in their community all while having fun.  

STURGIS, SD, UNITED STATES

01.11.2015

Story by Pfc. Jennifer Lena 

129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

STURGIS, S.D. – Soldiers of the South Dakota Army National Guard partnered with Sturgis Brown High School’s Youth Leadership Team to gain insight into the role of the National Guard in their community during an “I Hate Winter” event in the school’s gym, Jan. 9.

The event gives the students an opportunity to speak face to face with members of the National Guard all while having fun.

“The purpose of this event is to give kids awareness of where we are, who we are and what we have to offer,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Kinslow, readiness NCO at the SDARNG’s 881st Troop Command, who coordinated the event. “We want to show students that Soldiers are human just like they are.”

The I Hate Winter title was borne out of frustration with the recent bitter cold, said Kinslow.

Students and Soldiers were able to get their mind off of the cold to socialize over a catered lunch and participate in activities such as go-cart races, pugil battles, basketball and bean bag tosses.

Sgt. Shane Steinhour, a recruiter in the Black Hills, reiterated the importance of the event.

“It’s a way for students to learn about what the National Guard does and all of the benefits that come with it,” said Steinhour.

Steinhour went on to explain what it means to be a citizen-Soldier.

“As a member of the National Guard, we are able to pursue our professional careers in our community while at the same time we are part of the military serving our country in times of war or state emergencies,” said Steinhour.

Kinslow hopes that I Hate Winter can become an annual event.

“We want to give them options for career paths and let them know exactly what it means to take on the responsibility of being a citizen-Soldier,” said Kinslow. “This is certainly the best part-time job in South Dakota.”

• Date Taken: 01.11.2015
• Date Posted: 01.14.2015 17:10
• Story ID: 151989
• Location: STURGIS, SD, US