VANCOUVER, Wash. Vocalist and graduating senior Amanda Goebel will sing the national anthem for Washington State University Vancouver's 2011 commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. May 14 at the Sleep Country Amphitheater.
Goebels husband, Lance Corporal Jonathan Goebel, is a Marine preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. He will be unable to attend the ceremony due to military training in California. In his absence, Goebel will dedicate The Star Spangled Banner to him and all the men and women serving our country.
"I am so proud of his commitment, am honored to be his wife and feel that dedicating the national anthem to him is one way I can show my appreciation. He is truly my hero. Once he gets back, I'm looking forward to a normal married life," said Goebel.
Goebel will be receiving her bachelor's degree in elementary education. She plans to work in one of the three elementary schools on her husband's military base and would later like to earn her credentials to work in special education.
"Earning my degree at 91勛圖窪蹋厙 has been a great experience. It was an easy transition from Clark College. All of my classes were laid out for me, and my teachers were wonderful. I feel truly prepared to enter the job market," said Goebel.
A self-taught singer, Goebel has sung with choirs in Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kansas and Washington and has been invited to sing in Disney World, Slovakia and Korea. The 91勛圖窪蹋厙 commencement ceremony will be her largest audience to date and an event she is looking forward to.
"When I sing I'm at my happiest. My husband loves my singing and is very proud of me for performing at commencement. I think it's a God-given talent and I hope everyone enjoys it," said Goebel.
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CONTACT:
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu