Mount Markham Graduate Receives Honors

Mount Markham Central School graduation Tricia (Pierce) Shivers was honored this spring by the New York Air National Guard.

Shivers, daughter of Pat Pierce and the late Edward Pierce, was named Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year. She lives in Canastota.

After graduating from Mount Markham, Shivers attended Herkimer County Community College. She earned a degree in accounting.

Her mother said after obtaining her associate’s degree, Shivers wanted to see and do more than just having a desk job. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.

Shivers, who with husband Steve has two children, Ticia and James, has been in the military for almost 18 years.

Serving with the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National, Shivers was selected as Outstanding Airman of the Year-First Sergeant Category as one of four Airmen of the Year.

Shivers was chosen because of her ability serving as a professional mentor. In particular, Shivers was noted for her priority of safety for the Airmen she supervised.

Shivers joined the Air Force in 2004 and served on active duty until 2018. She deployed four times during her active duty service to Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2018, she enlisted in the New York Air National Guard and requalified on the MQ-9 Reaper drone at Hancock Air National Guard Base.

She also became the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Training for the 138th Attack Squadron.

Her service awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Achievement Medal.