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Birth
Your birth, and arguably even your conception, is what begins your life. I was born March 24, 1997, a full month before I was expected. I’m the youngest of 6 kids, the oldest being 31. -
Death of a parent
When I was 4 years old my father killed himself. I was too young to comprehend what this meant, as I had spent almost all of my time with my mother, but I wasn’t raised to miss his presence. Verging on adulthood I can understand how difficult it was for my mother to raise my siblings and I (she did not remarry). -
Started Gymnastics
As a child I was always very energetic, always tumbling around. My mother enrolled me in an official gym when I was around 6-years-old and it springboarded me into an appreciation for fitness and good sportsmanship. I still use some of the tricks I learned in gymnastics to this day. -
Promoted from 8th grade
On account of my father I did not start school until fifth grade. I was deficient in math but overall excelled in the language arts. Eighth grade year I had straight A’s, not to mention I would be attending high school the next year. -
NJROTC Area Eleven Leadership Academy Attendee
Freshman year of high school I was allowed to join NJROTC, or the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, in my second semester (my mother was against it; it took some convincing to be allowed to join). I was one semester behind my peers but I studied hard and was promoted to the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Company (senior to all enlisted cadets). That year I was also chosen to attend the yearly leadership academy few were chosen to attend. -
Lettered in Track and Field
Sophomore year of high school I made varsity for throwing Discus and Shotput in Track and Field. Though I dabbled in medium distance running and long jump I had an aptitude for throwing heavy objects. I made varsity with my a distance of 81ft for discus and 26ft for Shotput. -
Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Attendee
Over the summer of Sophomore year I was chosen out of the sophomore class of my high school to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference as our school’s delegate. I was only allowed to go because the Glendale Women’s Club paid my way to go. I am considered an alumnus of HOBY and attend alumni activities to this day. -
Arizona Youth Leadership Conference (AZYLC) Attendee
The same year I attended HOBY I was also chosen to attend AZYLC (Arizona Youth Leadership Conference) by my NJROTC unit. Though the conference was very similar to HOBY I was able to meet other accomplished students around my age and further sharpen my leadership skills. I met one of my best friends there and we are in touch to this day. -
Became an officer in NRJOTC
Junior year of high school I was promoted to the NJROTC unit’s Personnel and Finance Officer. This was significant as every Commanding Officer before me had held the staff positions I had held. This marked about 2 years in NJROTC, one full year behind my peers. -
First Surgery
Last year (2014) I was able to have two surgeries done to repair hernias in my abdominal wall. It was not only a surprise to me that I had two hernias but that the gene that caused the abnormality in the abdominal tissue was carried in the female line. This is important knowledge because any children I have may have a possibility to carry this defect and have to have the same surgery. It was also my first surgery… I can confidently say I don’t like surgery. To keep myself sane I would draw.
