Graduate of the Month, March of 2005

Fort Sam Houston [called "Fort Sam" by locals] is located on the northeast side of San Antonio, Texas. The post is surrounded by San Antonio, the 10th largest city in the United States. The primary mission at Fort Sam Houston is medical training and support post.

Fort Sam Houston was founded in 1845 and named for General Sam Houston, hero of the battle of San Jacinto and first president of the Republic of Texas. As the Indian wars wound down in the late 1800s, the United States Army began consolidation of the many small posts on the western frontier. In 1882 the Post at San Antonio (now Fort Sam Houston) was selected to be one of the larger garrison sites. The Post at San Antonio was renamed Fort Sam Houston in 1890. The Spanish-American War resulted in the further expansion of the fort to brigade status and the beginning of a construction program that made the fort the largest army post in the United States. Events beginning in 1916, when Francisco (Pancho) Villa crossed the United States border, and extending on into 1917 and World War I, greatly accelerated the build-up of facilities at Fort Sam Houston.

Fort Sam Houston is unique among Army posts. On one hand, it is a major, active military installation and plays a vital role in the defense of the United States. On the other hand, it contains some of the oldest structures on any Army installation. This blend of old and new gives today's soldiers a share of the post's history which dates back more than 150 years. The Pershing House is named for General John J. Pershing (1860-1948), one of its most famous residents. The only soldier to have the rank "General of the Armies," General Pershing commanded the American expeditionary forces during World War I. He occupied the quarters that now bear his name. The Pershing House continues to be the home of the senior Army officer at Fort Sam Houston. The Quadrangle is an enclosed park-like area that houses the clock tower, offices, and blacksmith shop. Deer and fowl roam freely as visitors wander through the enclosure. It is listed in the National Register of Historical Sites and bears a Texas state historical building landmark.

A new and proud resident of this historic Fort is Tauna Borough. Tauna graduated from Citizens High School last August. She completed her junior and senior years with us and earned a very respectable 3.5 GPA. Tauna chose Citizens’ to finish her requirements because the public school system was not providing for her needs. Tauna wanted one-on-one interaction with her teachers and found it difficult if not impossible to achieve. She also wanted to work to earn some spending money. A job and public high school curriculum clashed heavily.

Tauna told us that earning her diploma has made all the difference in the world to her. “Without it I would still be living at home, now I am making a difference.” As you can see by her uniform, Tauna is a US Army soldier. She is undergoing training at Fort Sam Houston to become a laboratory specialist. Her goals for the future include attending college to become a registered nurse.

Her example and success has encouraged others to follow in her footsteps. Her younger sister is now a Citizens’ High School student. Her sister’s boyfriend has also recently enrolled too! Some of Tauna’s friends are interested in enrolling with Citizens’ to also earn their diplomas.

Citizens’ High School is very proud to announce that Tauna Borough is our Graduate of the Month for March 2005. She has earned this honor by being a role model for others to follow and for selflessly volunteering to serve the cause of freedom. God’s speed Tauna!