Dear High School Seniors;

DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam has provided you a superb education and did so in ways that are distinctive, even exceptional.   Working side-by-side with your teachers, you have been able to acquire a strong and lasting academic foundation.  Our goal is helping  students to become independent thinkers and responsible citizens of our global community. Upon graduating and entering into this global community, you will become part of an amazing society of overseas graduates, with a unique and inspirational legacy.  Becoming part of this community will serve you well, both academically and professionally, as your jouney continues. 

One organization you need to know about is OVERSEAS BRATS (www.Overseasbrats.com).  This is an organization for those associated with DoDDS or other American schools in foreign countries.

Past graduates include celebrities and politicans like former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich (Orleans & Stuttgart); White House Advisor, Karen Hughes (Panama); Former Lieutenant Governor of Washington State, Brad Owen (Frankfurt); Army Medal of Honor Winner, Rocky Versace (Frankfurt); Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocia (Izmir); Current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Meyers (Paris/France); Retired Army General & Former Drug Czar in the Clinton Administration, General Barry McCaffrey (Paris/France); Retired Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf (Heidelberg & Frankfurt); Rear Admiral Vivian McCrea, first woman to make admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard & former military aide to President Reagan (Seoul); Oscar nominee, Faye Dunaway (Mannheim Junior High School); Musician, John Denver (Johnson High School Japan); and Basketball superstar, Shaquille O’Neal (Germany).

The organization continues to assist those associated with overseas schools who are looking for former friends and classmates in a number of ways:

• Serving as a central reference point for those associated with overseas schools and providing them information on how to find friends and classmates.
• Helping more than 240 overseas alumni groups representing 178 schools in 56 countries with their alumni organizations and reunion activities.
• Creating opportunities for those associated with American overseas schools to meet and share their unique heritage.

Another organization you may be interested in is called the American Overseas Schools Historical Society (AOSHS).  AOSHS is different from the BRATS in that its goal is to preserve the history of the overseas schools, so their work is geared in that direction.  In the future, AOSHS will have a museum and archives in Witchita, Kansas.  As former students of our Department of Defense Dependents Schools, you may also send documents to the archives!  Don’t throw your old trophies, letters, certificates, and photos away.  Send the to AOSHS instead!

As graduates of DoDEA, I ask you to consider taking an active role in supporting a unique alumni community.  I think you will find the experience worthwhile.  Lastly, I want to congratulate you on your accomplishments and wish you well as you begin the next stage in your life’s journey.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam