What do Charleston, South Carolina and Fillmore, CA have in common? They have one student, Matthew Hammond, who graduated from schools in both cities, 2500 miles apart. Matthew attended Sespe Elementary, Fillmore Middle and graduated from Fillmore High School in 2016. He then went on to attend The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina after receiving an Army ROTC National Scholarship. Via an online ceremony, on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 10am he graduated from The Citadel after completing the last two months of his senior year online education due to COVID-19. Also online, at 2pm on Saturday, May 9, 2020 he was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Come late October 2020 he will begin his training as a Field Artillery Officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Matthew Hammond with his proud mother Lisa Hammond of Fillmore, celebrating his virtual online graduation from The Citadel, S. Carolina.

Matthew Hammond with his proud father Rev. Bob Hammond of Fillmore, celebrating his virtual online graduation from The Citadel, S. Carolina.