Walking into Cinnaminson High School, one of the first things that will catch your eye is the new military wall, honoring the contributions the alumni of Cinnaminson High School have made to multiple different branches of the military: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and the National Guard. 

According to Athletic Director Brian Wilkinson, the idea came about unexpectedly during a staff interview. 

“Mr. Gorman and I were interviewing for a teaching position, and the candidate mentioned that they had started a military wall at their school,” Wilkinson said. “When the interview was over, we looked at each other and said, ‘That’s something we should do.’ From there, we talked it out and got it started.”

For Wilkinson, a former history teacher, the wall is another way for CHS to honor its past. 

“Schools are places filled with history that affect so many people’s lives,” Wilkinson said. “We celebrate athletic achievements with record boards and student accomplishments with our Hall of Fame, so it only makes sense to have something that honors those who served.”

Senior Gabriel Waters plans to join the military after high school. He said he wants to enlist in the Marines. Like the alumni before him, Waters said he hopes to see his name honored on the wall one day. His inspiration to join the military comes from his family before him, just as future Cinnaminson High School students may be inspired by the alumni before them.

¨I just started thinking about it two years ago, influenced by my brothers to join the military. But I’ve always thought of military as a great starting point,” Waters said. “I feel like I’m bringing great pride to Cinnaminson High School, going into the military.” 

To gather names for the wall, the administration reached out to the community through the principal’s newsletter, the school website, and alumni email lists. Responses came flooding in from family members and graduates eager to contribute. Wilkinson said it is an ongoing effort to add more names to the wall. 

“We’re continuing to collect names and will be sharing updates through our alumni Instagram page,” Wilkinson said.

Both Wilkinson and Waters hope the wall inspires current students as they pass by it each day. 

“Like everything we put on the walls here, we want it to spark interest,” Wilkinson said. “Maybe a student walking by will look at those names and think, ‘I want to be there one day.’” 

The Military Wall now stands as a proud reminder of Cinnaminson High School’s history and the lasting impact of its alumni who chose to serve.