OUR COMMUNITY

30 | JUNE 24 • 2021 

A

manda Schlussel 
grew up in West 
Bloomfield, 
early on watching three 
older brothers and two 
cousins shooting baskets 
and playing catch. Her 
home, on occasion, 
seemed a bit of a sports 
center for the five, and 
she soon joined in.
Schlussel enjoyed 
watching her stepbrother 
play hockey at the Jewish 
Community Center, and 
at 7 years old, she started 
playing roller hockey 
at the JCC. Two years 
later, she moved into ice 
hockey and continued 
with afterschool play 
while attending Doherty 
Elementary School and 
Orchard Lake Middle 
School. 
“I always did my work 
for classes at Frankel 
Jewish Academy, but 
I was most happy when I was playing 
hockey and doing workouts to be in 
condition for hockey,
” she said.
Schlussel, a graduating senior, had 
planned for college, where she could keep 
up with her favorite sport, but COVID-
19 interfered. The pandemic shut down 
practice and games, and Schlussel decided 
she just would not be ready for college 
competition. 
Instead, she made up her mind that the 
best way to stick with intensive physical 
activity was to join the U.S. Armed Forces. 
Starting Aug. 2, Schlussel begins basic 
training to become a Marine.
“My friend is currently serving, and 
she brought up the idea to me,
” Schlussel 
explained. “I picked the Marines because 
it’s the hardest branch. I just find a lot 
more pride in being able to say I’m a 
Marine. 
“I’m super open about how it’s going 
to be. If I like the Marines, I’m going to 
continue and make a career out of it. If I 
don’t like it, I’ll get out and do something 
else.
” 

Shana Kantor, Frankel director of 
advancement, said that Schlussel has made 
a choice that’s unique for the school’s 
graduating students although some have 
gone into the Israeli military. 
“We’re proud of different choices made 
by our students,
” Kantor said. “We try to 
help them take the next right step for each 
of them.
”
A grandfather is the only family member 
that Schlussel understands had any 
military background, but he was part of an 
educational program that had to do with 
academics rather than grueling mission 
preparation. 
Although Schlussel gave a year’s thought 
to enlisting, she did not tell her family until 
her decision became firm.
“My parents were shocked because 
they know of no kids who have gone into 
the military except for that one friend,
” 
Schlussel said. “They knew I had planned 
on going to college, but they ultimately 
became supportive because they know how 
happy I am with my choice.
”
Schlussel has signed up for four years in 

active service and four 
years in the reserves. 

‘A TOUGH COOKIE’
“
As Amanda’s mom, I 
could not be more proud 
that she has figured out 
what she wants to do,
” 
Michelle Baskin said. 
“If she were going off 
to college, I would be 
nervous, but this ups 
that feeling a little. I was 
surprised at first, but 
she’s always been a tough 
cookie.
”
Schlussel’s pre-military 
schedule has included 
a trip to Florida with 
her mom and outdoor 
experiences, hiking 
and water rafting, in 
Colorado and Montana 
with her dad, Steve 
Schlussel. She will be a 
waterskiing specialist at 
Camp Tamarack for one 
session.
Travel has been a special interest for 
Schlussel, who decided against a large 
bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in favor of 
a home celebration so that party money 
could be used instead for visits to new 
places. 
“I’m focused on working out and 
getting physically and mentally ready 
for the Marines,
” Schlussel said. “I run 
more than two miles at a time and do 
pushups and sit-ups. I’m excited to have 
something completely new to do in a new 
community.
”
While Schlussel advances the workouts 
introduced by her brothers, she will think 
of them choosing more book work. One 
is employed by a mortgage firm after 
completing Michigan State University. 
Another attends the same school, 
undecided about a career, and yet another 
is enrolled at Wayne State University, also 
undecided.
“I’ll miss my close friends and family, 
but I’m sure this is right for me now,
” 
Schlussel said. “It’s also nice to be doing 
something for my country.
” 

The Few, the Proud

Frankel grad chooses unusual career path.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COURTESY OF AMANDA SCHLUSSEL

