NW Valley Times

Taliyah Calloway received her first salute as an officer from her father, Carl Calloway, during the Grand Canyon University (GCU) Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony. The ceremony saw seventeen Army and three Air Force cadets receive their lieutenant bars.

Calloway, the daughter of military parents, found her two years in GCU’s ROTC program challenging but ultimately rewarding. “My junior year was definitely my toughest year because (after two years) I was here. I didn't want to leave (school), but at the same time I still wanted to leave,” she said. Having never spent more than two years at any school due to her parents' postings worldwide, she decided to persevere. "You can toughen it out. It's fine," she told herself.

On Friday morning, the Army commissioned Calloway and 16 fellow cadets as second lieutenants during a ceremony at Ethington Theatre. Reflecting on her journey, Calloway said, “Although it was hard, I think the hardness and pushing through that is actually what makes me more satisfied than actually finishing here.”

Carl Calloway emphasized that he and Taliyah’s mother never pressured her into staying at GCU. They visited the campus after serving in Korea and living in El Paso provided some proximity.

“She made the decision herself, so to see her actually go through with it was a great thing,” he stated.

Taliyah Calloway earned a bachelor’s degree in public health and will be commissioning as a transportation corps officer. She expressed hope that she could pass along the military lineage to her children for its structured lifestyle.

University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin praised the cadets for their commitment to service, citing Jesus as a model for such dedication.

Capt. Victor Perez served as guest speaker and advised cadets on leadership: "Create a culture where it is safe for them to be human; have a plan to see them and hear them; be a true leader who is not afraid to grab a towel and get your hands dirty." He noted that mistrust arises from a lack of connection and empathy between leaders and subordinates.

Conner Weldy also celebrated his commissioning after earning his bachelor's degree in marketing and advertising despite initial rejections from the Army recruitment process. Inspired by his grandfather Jim Davis's military service in Korea with the Navy, Weldy persevered with help from a recruiter.

Weldy's brother Cameron followed him into military service after observing Conner's development in the program. Cameron said Conner provided significant guidance when he joined ROTC himself.

Col. Erich Schneider thanked GCU’s administration for supporting the ROTC program's growth to 100 members this year: “This place has a heart for service,” Schneider said.

Zach Hendricks recounted reconnecting with GCU ROTC Coordinator Trish Shipley during his time at GCU after knowing her from childhood church activities.

The other newly commissioned Army officers included:

- Jacob Doest

- Nicholas Astorga

- Isabel Prado-Toledo

- Alexa Bradley

- Florentino Bedolla

- Aaron Avellanoza

- Adam Marrone

- Dawson Buck

- Austin White

- Tristen Martin

- Jaden Norris

- Matthew Greymont

- Dazarian Williams

- Ruben Ruiz

Three GCU Air Force ROTC cadets were also commissioned into the Air Force during a ceremony at Arizona State University's Armstrong Hall:

- Raylie Stewart

- Gabriel Stewart

- Alexander Orquiz

GCU Senior Writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected].