Connor Lyttle
Classification: Senior
Texas Christian High School
Looking for adventure and a challenge that could test every fiber of physical strength and moral standing sounds like a Tom Clancy novel. It is in fact, the real-life story of Connor Lyttle, a senior at Texas Christian High School. Inspired by his favorite Bible verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13); Connor loves a challenge that will stretch him and help him grow.
Connor’s family chose Texas Christian because it was a good match academically to equip Connor to pursue whatever avenue he might choose, whether it be college or vocational studies. Connor’s favorite subject was Creation Science taught by retired United States Marine MSgt James Rankin. Through this very informative and challenging class, Connor said he learned “More about God, His creation and the real facts of life; coming into existence through Divine wisdom, intelligent design, and supernatural creation.”
Connor’s athletic abilities and leadership skills allowed him to excel on Texas Christian’s football, basketball, and baseball teams; making the playoffs in two of the three team sports. True to his character, Connor is preparing to take on his next life’s challenge by joining the ranks of the United States Marine Corps. He is currently involved in a rigorous physical training program to make his transition into the demanding Marine Corps world as smooth as possible.
Connor will be greatly missed at Texas Christian, but will be constantly in the thoughts and prayers of the families, staff, and students as he enters the realm of “The Few, The Proud, The Marines.”
David Steele
Classification: Senior
Faith West Academy
In fiction, the mission of Superman is to help everyone and make the world a better place to live regardless of personal sacrifice. In reality that is the mission of our men and women in the military, firemen, and police officers. David Steele has taken that as his mission. He has completed six credit hours of Emergency Medical Technician training and 15-18 hours of training per week for 16 weeks at the Firefighter Academy (the youngest in his class). On July 16 Steele will report to the United States Air Force for basic training. After military basic training he will receive intense training for the USAF PARARESCUE Team. After seventeen months of PARARESCUE ‘Pipeline’ Training (that will take him to San Antonio, Florida, Washington, New Mexico, and Georgia) Steele will be ready to provide emergency medical treatment necessary to stabilize and evacuate injured personnel while acting in an enemy evading recovery role.
Before graduating from high school, David has already responded to numerous emergency situations; vehicle rescue with the ‘Jaws of Life’, cardiac arrest calls, warehouse explosion, suicide calls, fire alarms, trauma patients, and false alarms.
Minimum requirements to be accepted into the PARARESCUE Pipeline are swim 25 meters underwater on one breath, swim 1,000 meters sidestroke or freestyle in 26 minutes or under, run 1.5 miles in under 10 minutes and 30 seconds, pull off eight chin-ups in a minute or less, do 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes or less, pound out 50 push-ups in 2 minutes or less, complete 50 flutter kicks in 2 minutes or less.
