Utica High School senior earns national military honor

Tyler Townsend is a walking example of how future leaders are taking shape in Utica Community Schools.

Townsend, a senior at Utica High School, earned the national Jeremy M. Campbell Leadership award this summer from the U.S. Army. The award was earned for the Alpha Company, 701st Military Police Battalion.

“The award is provided to one soldier who demonstrates leadership, dedication and is always putting others above themself,” Townsend said. “I felt proud to receive the award because I had put a lot into it.”

Townsend spent 10 weeks this summer at the boot camp for the Army National Guard at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. The leadership honor was awarded by a panel of officers and drill sergeants.

He is currently a private in the Michigan Army National Guard, where he has been a member for the past nine months.

Townsend plans to join the ROTC at Central Michigan University next year on his way to becoming a military police officer.