Emily Jazmin Tatum Perez

West Point, 2005

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Remi Hajjar on September 22, 2006:

What Emily ?Taz? Perez Taught Us I had the great fortune of meeting Emily Perez in January of 2003, which was in the middle of her yearling year as well as the middle of my first year back at USMA as a BS&L instructor. That first experience?where we took an introductory sociology course together?marked the starting point of our relationship and interactions as members of BS&L and its sociology program. Emily and I took two more classes together, and also shared many other enjoyable experiences, including department and program socials; field trips; USMA sporting events; and other good times together at West Point, one of which included the memorable meeting of her mother during one of her visits to the academy. A reflection on these experiences, which spanned over the course of three years, reveals many marvelously rich lessons that Emily taught me. Her example, strong character, topnotch accomplishments, humanity, spirit, and other splendid gifts also significantly influenced all of the fortunate people blessed to have known Emily and to have been a part of her life. During our introductory sociology class experiences, Emily?s contributions provided special lessons regarding courage, candor, intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and passion, among other virtues that illustrated her extraordinary character and spirit. During our class introductions at lesson one, Emily made it clear that she preferred to be called the nickname of ?Taz,? which stemmed from her love of the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character. She felt that her behavior and tendency to bring significant intensity towards her life?and the wide range of different activities therein?in many ways resembled this colorful, energetic, powerful, warmly humorous, and well-known cartoon figure. Thus, from that point forward I knew Emily as ?Taz.? During this class, she displayed truly unique signs of intellectual curiosity, passion for learning, and personal courage. For example, during one block of our class, Taz personally created the momentum for us to contact a sociology professor from another university who had authored an article that we read in class. Specifically, Taz wished to respectfully but bluntly challenge one part of the author?s argument, and Taz constructed a letter to explain her points, which we sent to the article?s author. The professor responded to Taz?s correspondence, and said that she both appreciated Taz?s counterargument and did not have much of a case to counter Taz?s points. In my three years of teaching experience at West Point, this is one of the very rare cases where a cadet voluntarily took the time to pursue this noteworthy kind of initiative; and to amplify the special nature of this action, Taz did this in her very first sociology course as a yearling. This particular experience taught and reminded me that questioning assumptions, making solid counter-points, thinking deeply and critically, taking the time to ask challenging questions, possessing sufficient personal courage, among other impressive attributes, can indeed manifest quite early in a person?s intellectual and character development and journey. To add to Taz?s notable feats in this course, she also significantly contributed to class discussions with salient, well-thought-out ideas that enriched our conversations. This first course taken with Taz illuminated the fact that she possessed direction, purpose, focus, motivation, and a host of other important leader traits that informed and set a superb example for those who knew her and had the opportunity to interact with her, including her subordinates, peers, and superiors. Other experiences with Taz reinforced the tremendously positive first impression that I had of her, and these experiences provided other important life lessons. She continued to influence people through her shining leadership example, hard work, impressive communication skills, and ability to very effectively balance military duties and discipline with having fun. In our second class together?sociological theory (through cinema)?Taz very successfully served as our student section leader and also made important contributions to our conversations about the military, sociology, and other relevant topics. Similar to her work in introductory sociology, she excelled in this class and bolstered the group?s learning. In our final class together?senior thesis in sociology?I interacted with Taz less frequently given the independent nature of the senior thesis study. The thesis course presents an important chance for senior cadets to operate with more freedom than the typical academic course, and it occurs in the final semester prior to graduation. Whereas some of her peers fell short in making the most of this thesis experience, Taz, on the contrary, was among those seniors who produced a solid study that illustrated her ability to self-direct and work independently on a large-scale academic project. Her notable cinematic analysis of the changing roles of women in Walt Disney movies enabled her to apply her sociological imagination to a topic that interested her, which also possessed military relevance (including the changing roles of women in the armed forces and society). Taz?s superb briefing on her thesis study highlighted many of her outstanding leadership qualities and left no doubt in the audience?s mind as to Taz?s preparedness to graduate USMA and serve with distinction as an Army officer. Very admirably, Taz conducted her senior thesis while she served in one of the very highest cadet military positions at USMA: the Brigade?s Command Sergeant Major (CSM). The ?word on the street? among the cadets that I spoke with was that as a CSM, Taz was well-known to effectively communicate and enforce standards, and simultaneously she liked to have a good time and she shared her lively and engaging spirit with others during academy events. For example, I recall frequently seeing Taz?s spirited dancing and cheering on the sidelines alongside the Rabble Rousers during Army football games. To me, Taz exemplified the special leadership philosophy and attributes associated with ?working hard (highly effective Brigade CSM; an ?A? student; and a track star) and playing hard (cheering on the Corps of Cadets and Army fans during major sporting events; lively and fun to interact with at socials; etc.),? which set an exceptionally positive life example for those who knew her. The world will miss Emily ?Taz? Perez, especially those who knew her well. The pain of this loss will last. But as I reflect on my relationship with Taz, I will continue to marvel about the absolutely terrific things that she taught and reminded me and countless others of, all while being so young. I will remember Taz as an inspirational, highly talented young woman who shared her numerous, brilliant gifts with the world, and who served her country, Army, academy, unit, family, and other groups that she touched with her special brand of love in a way that epitomized Duty, Honor, and Country. Her legacy consists of her life example and the countless, invaluable lessons that she taught us. We will miss her dearly, and will always remember her warmth, spirit, devotion, service, smile and laughter, example, and love. Sincerely, Major Remi Hajjar, USMA 1993 September 22, 2006

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