THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026 Page 7 CORPSMAN | FROM Page 1 ics Team, emphasizing that teamwork, disciplined problem-solving and performing under pressure are the same competencies needed to execute high-stakes missions. He encouraged the students by drawing a direct parallel between their national championship project and the meticulous, collaborative eff ort required for spacefl ight recovery, and noted how ROTC robotics and drone experience fostered the skills that translate to realworld mission success. Several Revere High students spoke of their experience meeting with Link: Izabelly Alves Dos Santos (XO) “It was a really great experience. He was very humble about everything he’d done, and I really appreciated that about him. Knowing he was part of a high school robotics team and seeing where he is now was inspiring. Being part of Revere High’s JROTC Robonerds team it reminded me to stay committed to what I care about and to where I come from.” Radley Lekuku (CSM) “It was honestly really inspiring. He’s super humble despite everything he’s done. What stuck with me most was him talking about being proud of where you come from and staying ready for opportunities when they show up. He also mentioned how being on a robotics team helped him in real missions because of the critical thinking skills you build. Hearing about his role in the astronaut rescue was crazy in a good way, and it made me think about my Robo Nerds team and how those same skills really matter.” Lesly Mendoza (S1) “Meeting Vlad Link was truly inspiring. Knowing that someone from Chelsea had the opportunity to contribute to Artemis II and be part of a robotics team reminded me why I joined robotics in the first place. He showed me that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and stay committed to your goals. What stood out to me the most was how proud he was of where he US Navy Corpsman Vlad Link is pictured with Revere High’s JROTC Robotics and Drone Team during a recent visit. came from. He didn’t shy away from his community, instead, he represented it with confi - dence. That made me realize that I want to do more, not just for myself but for my community as well. He also emphasized never giving up on yourself and continuing to push forward, no matter the challenges. That message stuck with me, and it motivates me to take on new challenges and keep striving for success.” Meyson Garcia (S3) “Meeting Vlad Link was an amazing opportunity. Knowing that he too was a part of a robotics team and knowing what he was able to achieve though his hard work and dedication was really inspiring. He mentioned that his experience with robotics helped with his critical thinking skills and how those skills helped him to accomplish his missions, which reminded me of how our robo-nerds team had to use our critical thinking skills to successfully accomplish our missions during our competitions. He was also very proud about being from Chelsea never shying away from that fact, it reminded me that I too should take pride in being a part of the Revere community and represent it with the same level of pride as he did.” Marc Silvestri, Ombudsperson at the Chelsea Veterans’ Home “We were thrilled when Chief Corpsman Link announced he would be visiting the home. Knowing he had once been on a robotics team, it struck us as the perfect opportunity to connect our local JROTC champions—who recently won national championships in robotics and drones—with him. The idea of the students meeting Chief Coleman Link was something they would remember forever. I asked the Secretary, and he agreed that it would be a meaningful experience for the students. He supported the idea, and the students clearly enjoyed the opportunity. Watching a local Navy hero on TV who retrieved astronauts is now standing in front of them and saying, ‘I lived right there and you can be me.’ It was a powerful message from Chief Link.”
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