Photo By Spc. Osvaldo Fuentes | U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Yadriana Kavitz stands at parade rest during ceremony at Wright...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – 1st Sgt. Yadriana Kavitz, senior enlisted leader of the Headquarters and
Headquarters Company (HHC), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC), was awarded
the Sgt. Maj. Larry Strickland Educational Leadership award for her dedication in providing
educational mentorship as a board member for You Artistry Collaborative (YAC), which is a
nonprofit, intercultural, co-educational movement of artists and educators providing a
community-based approach to learning.
Kavitz assumed the first sergeant position at HHC and immediately identified the need for a
mentorship program that focused on the senior leaders in the unit. Using her Doctorate in
Organizational Change and Leadership that she earned at the University of Southern California,
she designed a program providing Soldiers the ability to pursue their educational goals and earn
their certification of apprenticeship.
Since the creation of her program, more than 500 soldiers have received their Apprenticeship
Certification for North Carolina.
“She has a lot of wisdom and great mentorship,” said Capt. Kaitlin Fritch, HHC, 3rd ESC company commander. “So many of the soldiers look up to her.”
One of Kavitz’s biggest inspirations was her mother, as she always emphasized the importance
of education to her while growing up. She recalls having great mentors by saying they helped her
expand her horizons to see the bigger picture rather than just herself.
“When we give the soldiers a block of instruction they always begin to smile,” said Kavitz.
“That’s what I love most about being a First Sergeant.”
According to the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association, The Sgt. Maj. Larry
Strickland award was made to honor Strickland due to his death during the attacks of
September 11, 2001. He was serving as sergeant major to the Army’s deputy chief of staff for personnel when he became a victim of the attack on the Pentagon.
Family and friends of Strickland instituted a memorial scholarship fund and leadership award
program in 2003. The Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) administers the fund.
Every year the AUSA hosts a ceremony to present the award, but because of COVID-19, Kavitz
will be mailed her award and a small ceremony will be held at a later date with her seniors and
peers to congratulate her.
“I’m extremely honored,” said Kavitz. “If COVID wasn’t a thing, I would love to go up to D.C.
and take part in the formal ceremony.”
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2020 13:49 |
| Story ID: | 382434 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 252 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Kavitz’s push for education mentorship program rewarded, by SPC Osvaldo Fuentes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Fort Bragg
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