Sergeant Zachary Robert Sharkey, who was one of the original students at this school, has been with UMA for 9 ½ years. Throughout his time in JROTC, his work in positions as a janitor and working as a teacher, has helped the school grow. Recently, Sharkey was deployed overseas, but UMA and the cadets will always remember his contributions to the cadets, the programs, and the school.
Sharkey’s involvement with AFJROTC goes all the way back to 2013 at Clearfield High School. During this time at Clearfield, he was exposed to several programs that they had there, such as Kitty Hawk Air Society, which he played a role in starting. That year, Cadet Sharkey also participated in Honor Guard and CyberPatriot, making it all the way to Nationals with his team. This was his 10th grade year and his first experiences with JROTC.
In 2014, Major Workman was able to start the Utah Military Academy and was able to move to that school with some of his JROTC students, Sharkey was among the people to follow him to UMA. At UMA, Sharkey was able to help build and shape the course of the Unit. Sharkey used his experience in Cyber Patriot to help start a program here with Major Workman through his 11th grade year. In addition to Cyber, he also was a key member of the Raider team and would later on became the advisor of the Raider team.
Sharkey swore into thethe Army National Guard and attended basic training between his Junior and Senior years of high school. He worked as an UAS systems maintainer. Before he started officially teaching here, he volunteered as a substitute teacher, filling in when needed. After he was hired as a teacher at UMA, Sharkey has served in a variety of leadership roles within the school and often liked to joke that, “It’s a leadership, not a leader-kayak.” Even though Sharkey was strict at times and found many things unacceptable, he still did his best to joke around with the cadets whenever possible.
Sharkey has taught eighth grade JROTC as well as the drone class for which he is uniquely qualified.
Sergeant Zach Sharkey has worked hard to get where he was today and he is remembered saying, “Sometimes you have to be a different beast and the same animal.”
When talking about Cadet Sharkey, Specialist Sharkey, or Mr. Sharkey, it’s apparent he always found his way into the heart of UMA. 9 ½ years in this school is an amazing accomplishment and throughout his time he has overseen and been involved in our ever changing school. Everyone know that he will do great in his Army career and though he may no longer be with us at UMA, he will always be remembered for the work he has done, his dedication to the cadets, and of course the playful attitude that he displayed. As the graduation certificate said that was given to him by Mr. Smith in formation, “Though you may be gone, you will not be forgotten and you will be missed.”
