Fond Deployment Surprise | Air Force, APS Veteran Honored by Students During Mock Graduation

An unsuspecting Marvin Grandison Jr. walked into the STEM cafeteria, coffee in hand, to the last event of the day – a pizza party for seniors on March 20.

Grandison, a school counselor, barely stepped in the room before discovering the party was a ruse to lure him to a surprise going away celebration. The Air Force reservist is scheduled to deploy this week for active duty in the Middle East.

Grandison, attached to the 910th Air Force Support Squadron in Youngstown, circled the room amid a thunderous standing ovation. However, the gig was up the moment he glanced at his mother, Germaine Grandison, and daughter, Arianna Firebaugh.

“This will be my third tour in the Middle East,” said Grandison, a 2007 College of Wooster graduate, who was assigned his first six-month tour of duty in 2018 shortly after accepting his position with STEM.

“I was actually in graduate school during that time, and I was in the middle of my internship experience (at STEM),” he recalled. “When I came back in January, I finished out the second semester and I graduated that spring of 2019. Actually, I had to deploy in the middle of my internship.”

While his temporary military departure to a hostile region is concerning for many of his students, a confident Grandison is focusing on the present.

“When I'm here with my students, I try to pour everything I have into helping them succeed,” said Grandison, who earned his master’s degree at the University of Akron. “But when I'm called for duty, such as situations like this, you learn to adapt.”

However, the sometimes-stoic Grandison was staggered by the outpouring of love he received during his surprise party. Admittedly, he never saw it coming.

“Was I surprised?” he began quizzically. “Absolutely, no one broke the news to me. It was a well kept secret. I am overwhelmed. It made me feel appreciated and loved.” 

Grandison, who in May will have 14 years logged in the Air Force, said he’ll miss the connection with the students. He assured them of his support while deployed. 

“It’s difficult leaving my students, but prayer gets me through,” said Grandison, who will have more than 300 Air Force personnel under his command. “My role in the Air Force is very similar to my role here as a school counselor. The responsibilities really align together. My main priority is to make sure our troops’ needs are met so they can continue executing the mission.

“We understand that they have families, So they have stressors that they may need additional support. So that's where I come in. If they need some mental health services or financial support, I serve as liaison.”

Grandison's commitment to his students is among the many reasons he’s revered and respected at STEM.

“He’s an amazing man. His integrity defines who he is,” said school principal Dina Popa. “We will miss him.”

Grandison’s admiring students came up with a mock graduation ceremony, in part, because he’ll miss them receiving their diplomas in May. Seniors Ariel Buth and Ciara Hale, both members of Students for Excellence and Equity, wanted to do something special; something out of the ordinary to ensure Grandison would be connected on graduation day.

“When we found out he won’t be here for our graduation we were sad because he’s part of our family,” said Hale, who serves as school ambassador.  “We want all of our family members to be there.”

Buth and her classmates simply wanted Grandison to know he would be in their prayers.

“We wanted to do something special for him because he’s always doing things for us, like letting us know what internships or scholarships are available based on our interests,” she said. “He always remembers what we’re interested in and helps us go through the entire process with us.”

Buth and Hale, both of whom’s pathway is biotech, admits it was difficult keeping the surprise graduation celebration a secret because Grandison is so easy to talk to and students enjoy stopping in his office to get advice or to just talk about whatever’s on their mind.

In reality, they didn’t trust themselves, in part, because of Grandison’s engaging persona. As a result, as a means of avoiding meaningful conversation they would elude him in the hallways. They would risk being rude to conceal their secret.

They solicited the help of Academy Principal Krista Bowden, who ordered cards for the students to give Grandison. She took it from there, committing to planning the event.

She escorted Grandison onto the stage, and explained what was going on. Grandison was to call each senior up to the stage during the mock graduation. Instead of him handing them a diploma, each student handed him a card with a personal message. 

It was also school spirit week, and the seniors were asked to dress in Blue and Gold, which are the colors of the United States Air Force. The moment left a reflective Grandison somewhat emotional.

“I realized throughout my interaction, I had students who have graduated and who have contacted me and they kind of share their perspective on the impact that I made,” he said. “It allows you to kind of reflect on the work that we do.

“Honestly, this is the most rewarding job I've had in my life because of the amount of impact we have on students. At times, we are the only family that the students have. So I take my role in this position very seriously.

“When students tell you how much you mean to them and how much they appreciate you, I don't think there's a greater feeling,” the Walsh Jesuit graduate said reflectively. “The trust and faith they have in us shows the students appreciate the work we do.”

Grandison, who received his high school’s Young Alumni Award in 2024, was touched by his students’ tribute. Yet, it’s their enduring faith and trust he’ll carry with during his deployment to the Middle East.

STEM Counselor Marvin Grandison Jr. and STEM Academy Principal Krista Bowden

STEM senior Sam Grau with STEM Counselor Marvin Grandison Jr. 

STEM Principal Dina Popa serving pizza to senior Ciara Hale

Box of Good Luck cards from STEM Seniors