Courtesy Photo Pfc. Deana Baldo, left, was selected to represent the Marine Corps at Sunday's Washington Redskins game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Baldo, 18, graduated at the top of her 93-woman class at Parris Island, S.C., on Oct. 9 and earned a meritorious promotion to Private First Class "for her outstanding performance among her peers," Marine spokesman Sgt. Athanasios Genos said.

Her instructors noticed her leadership abilities early, Baldo said, and promoted her to squad leader along with only three other women.

"Boot camp is difficult, but I put forth 100 percent effort," she said.

"I was motivated and knew what I wanted."

Though not a huge football fan, Baldo said she was excited to be honored at the Redskins' game. She leans more toward the Redskins than the Baltimore Ravens, she said, and she cheered extra hard for the Skins on Sunday.

The Washington team honors the U.S. Marine Corps each year during the last daytime home game before the Marine Corps' birthday, Nov. 10. Before the game, Baldo and Pvt. Erick Sosaguillen were introduced on the field as honored recruits and the two got to meet Gen. James F. Amos, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.

"He shook my hand and said 'Hooah,'" Baldo said. "It was an inspiration to talk to him."

With about 80,000 fans in attendance, Baldo was a little nervous.

But once she took her place and the announcer introduced her, "I felt a lot of pride. Less nervous, more prideful that I could represent the Marines," she said.

Throughout the game, people approached her to shake her hand and thank her for her service, she said.

Marine Day continued during halftime, when the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band performed a medley of songs and an Iwo Jima flag-raising reenactment.

"We should not forget the people in the Armed Services," said Joyce Baldo, Deana's mother, who is happy the Redskins hold a Marine Day.

"I was just extremely proud and touched and honored" when Deana was on the field, she said.

In the ROTC program at Linganore , her instructor was a Marine. Baldo grew to love the military, and after researching all the branches, she signed up to join the Marines.

"I was looking for a challenge, so I joined," she said. "It's a lifestyle, and I love living it."

Joyce Baldo had some reservations about her daughter signing up at age 17.

"It's hard letting go, but that's part of life," she said.

Baldo leaves Nov. 2 for four weeks of combat training at Camp Geiger, N.C., and then three months of specialized job training. She plans to go into intelligence, which she hopes will help her get a security clearance she could use to work at the FBI or CIA.

Deana will be able to accomplish whatever she wants, Joyce Baldo said. Being a Marine has changed her.

"She has a different outlook. She's more ambitious, more focused."