The Young Marines named Sgt. Major Charlotte Bisila, 16, of Washougal, the Division 5 Young Marine of the Year on Jan. 21. Bisila will represent Division 5 in the upcoming National Young Marine of the Year competition, the highest individual honor awarded by the organization.
Bisila, a junior at Washougal High School, has served with the Lewis and Clark Young Marines for five years, according to a news release from the Young Marines. She credited the program with helping shape her personal growth and leadership development.
“I’m representing myself and all that I am a part of — Young Marines, my high school, my parents, my country. I know I must show up and give it my all every time,” Bisila said in the release. “The Young Marines program also emphasizes community service, which aligns with my beliefs and morals. I will continue to serve as I grow into adulthood.”
The Young Marines has recognized Bisila with multiple honors, including Advanced Leadership School Honor Graduate, Senior Leadership School Honor Graduate, Unit Young Marine of the Year and seven Community Service Ribbon awards.
In the future, Bisila plans to attend the United States Naval Academy to study aerospace engineering or math and hopes to become a fighter pilot in the United States Marine Corps.
Bisila will now compete against five other division winners for the national title and will spend the next year traveling throughout Division 5, which includes 22 units across six states. The National Young Marine of the Year will be announced in March, the release stated.
The Young Marines is a national nonprofit youth education and service organization that promotes leadership, teamwork and self-discipline while encouraging a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, according to the press release. To learn more about the organization, visit YoungMarines.org.
