Jacob LaQua was promoted to the rank of Specialist E-4 in February while serving his deployment in Afghanistan.

He graduated from Auburn High School in 2011 and went immediately to boot camp at Fort Jackson, S.C. He graduated from basic training on Sept. 29, 2011. He recently was awarded Soldier of the Quarter.

LaQua studied advance training at Fort Hoachuca; Sierra Vista, Ariz., was awarded 30 college credits and holds a 4.0 grade average.

LaQua, who worked at Lowe’s at the Landing in Renton his last semester at Auburn High, was active in the Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America at school. He won the 4-H Washington State Fair contest for eight years.

LaQua is the son of Geraldine LaQua, a longtime Auburn resident, and the grandson of Elizabeth Young of Seattle.