A dozen Charles Henderson High School students were spotlighted Thursday at the school for signing day, but they weren’t choosing colleges to continue their sports at the next level.

Family, friends and classmates packed out the CHHS Cafetorium Thursday to honor the students as they signed with the military branches of their choice and took the oath of office to officially join the ranks.

“We often have signing days for athletes, but we have other students succeeding in the classroom that want to continue that success outside of the classroom, whether that’s in college or a career,” said Principal Brock Kelley. “That’s why we decided to have our inaugural military signing day for these students … These students have taken on the challenge of defending our nation and are t be commended for their unwavering commitment to success in the classroom as well as in the community.”

The students signed with the Army, Navy, National Guard, Marines and Air Force.

Arianna Baxter, JaQuavious Green and Destiny McCurdy signed with the Army; Gabby Esquivel, Rhezgeine Dobbins and Whittaka Lowery signed with the National Guard; Camiya Burke signed with the Navy; Jake Overlock and Johnathan Wiliams signed with the Marines; and Christian McCall signed with the Air Force.

Tatiana Siler was specially honored during the ceremony as the only student joining the Air Force Academy directly after school.

Navy Engineman Mitchell Royal said these students have to be special to be accepted into the U.S military.

“Less than 2 percent of the nation’s population is eligible to join the military,” Royal told the crowd. “Of those 2 percent, only 1 percent serve. This is a special group.”

Retired Chief Eugene Murphy led the students in their oath of office and said it was a very special day to recognize the students.

“Today they joined the most elite team in the world,” Murphy said.