March 8, 2024 3:35 a.m.

Late Thursday U.S. Representative Val Hoyle announced that Danielle Lisette Hubbard, a member of the Army National Guard and second-year nursing student at Umpqua Community College was her guest at the State of the Union address.

Hubbard lives in Roseburg and was inspired to join the Army National Guard after her father served as an Army medic during Operation Desert Storm. When she completes her studies at UCC, Hubbard plans to continue to serve as a combat medic in the Oregon National Guard and serve as a nurse in the local community. Despite witnessing substance abuse and experiencing homelessness during her upbringing, Hoyle said Hubbard is a leader among her peers and is a role model for other young women and girls.

Hoyle said, “It’s a tremendous sacrifice to serve in our nation’s military while pursuing an education”. Hoyle said, “I am grateful for Hubbard’s strong commitment to protect and serve our nation. I look forward to seeing Hubbard thrive in her future endeavors and hope it can serve as an inspiration to people in Oregon and throughout the nation”.

The release said during high school, Hubbard was able to take dual enrollment courses through the community college and take courses that counted toward her nursing degree. Hoyle said programs like these serve as a pathway to help students accelerate their timeline for degree completion and lower the cost of secondary education. Hubbard is also receiving an education benefit through the Army National Guard that also lowers the tuition cost for her nursing education.