Amber Birsen Cetinel

The first appointment I ever made as an Army Recruiter was with Amber when she wanted to understand every path available to her as she explored a future in the U.S. Army. It was an honor to have known Amber and to see her grow from a thoughtful and determined young JROTC cadet into an accomplished and inspiring leader.

I’m so proud of the person she became and the example she set for others who followed in her path. She truly made the world a better place and will be deeply missed...

It feels odd talking about Amber outside the context in which I knew her the most. I’ve always known her as “ma’am” or Capt. Cetinel. Where the military can make things feel impersonal, Capt. Amber Cetinel never did. She had such a warm and welcoming personality that made her effortlessly likable.

Honestly, most of our interactions were work-related—a phone number for an interview, a website for training, or checking what time a meeting was. But those “boring” tasks were always...

I never had the privilege of meeting Amber in person, but we spoke a few times through her sister, Ashley. Even over the phone, I could feel her warmth, kindness, and genuine compassion.
Although we never met, I feel this loss deeply. The world has lost a bright and beautiful soul.
My heartfelt condolences to her family—I am truly so sorry for your loss.
♡

Amber was one of those rare students a teacher never forgets. I met her during my very first year at Siegel, and even after 11 years, her name, her smile, and her spirit remain as vivid as ever in my heart. She was bright, kind, and full of a light that could lift an entire room. From the start, it was clear she was something special—truly one in a million.

As a dedicated JROTC cadet, Amber led with grace, strength, and quiet confidence. She was the type of student who didn’t just...

Amber was a truly wonderful soul—her radiant smile and even bigger heart touched everyone she met. She brought joy wherever she went, and the world felt brighter with her in it. Her absence leaves a deep ache, but her warmth and kindness will live on in the hearts of many.
My thoughts and prayers are with all who loved her and now carry her memory forward.

It was an honor to know and grow up with such a genuine, beautiful soul. We are all so lucky to have known you. I love you, Amber.

I am so lucky to have gotten to hear about how much positivity and joy Amber brought to the world from Ashley. We never met but her positive impact reached so far that I will always miss her as well. My heart goes out to the whole family; she was very lucky to have you all.