The biggest role model in my life would hands down be my dad. I know usually parents are most people's role models, but I honestly can't see another person, besides my mom, who is as intelligent and brave as he is. My dad joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 and just out of high school. I am 20 and a sophomore in college. A little more than 3 years ago I ended up moving to Louisiana because of his job. Now this isn't a new thing for me or most military families, however, I was on track to finish my senior year at a high school in California. Moving during that time would have definitely destroyed all the work that I had built up at the school. When we first found out that we were moving again, we discussed what we could do to avoid restarting at a new high school. The easier choice would have been for me to stay with another family member who was living in California at the time and finish my school year that way. However, that was difficult as there were still covid restrictions and I wasn't too sure how I'd do living with other people besides my own family. So after a lot of consideration, I chose the more difficult path and decided I was going to move to Louisiana with my family. This took a lot of courage as I had to hope that everything would be all right when I got there. Once I got there and started going to the school, I was placed into a smaller class size and was much farther ahead due to California's advanced curriculum. Because of this, I was able to graduate as #2 in my class and was the salutatorian. After my senior year, I went to a community college and finished my prerequisites. I just got accepted into my dream program at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. If I had made the decision to stay in California at that time, I don't think I'd be in the same place as I am right now. So looking back, I learned that sometimes you just have to accept what happens to you and that eventually everything will work out in the end. Because of the military, I also was able to learn how to adapt to constant changes in life. Not everything in life will be able to go your way, so you just have to be prepared for every situation.

Being a military child is a distinctive experience, marked by a life constantly on the move, adaptability, and a unique set of challenges and opportunities. By the time I was born, my dad was already 5 years in as a Marine and stationed in San Diego, California. Soon after my birth, we moved to Yuma, Arizona where my younger sister and brother were born. We lived there steadily for a while until my dad got orders back to California and then back to Arizona for the last time. After leaving Arizona, we moved to Beaufort, South Carolina. Even though I was very young at the time, I remember having fond memories of that place and it forever has a place in my heart. Sadly our time there was cut short due to a family emergency which in turn led to us moving back to California. This was a unique situation because this was the first time we had lived off base and started going to a public school. Also due to the family emergency, we moved in with my Grandma and my dad had to travel to San Diego every week to go to work while we stayed in LA. This caused my dad to be with us even less, basically only on the weekends. So far I had been to 4 elementary schools by the time I was in 4th grade. After a year in LA, the military was finally able to get us into housing on the base where my dad was stationed. This did not last long however because within months my dad was already getting his next orders to Okinawa, Japan. This was exciting to me as a young girl heading into middle school. I was so scared, yet so happy for the adventure that awaited us in Japan. I had never been out of the country before so it was a lot. By far that is the best place I got to live and visit. There was so much culture to learn and explore, so It was hard when our 3 years were up and we had to leave. It was such a great experience that I am forever grateful for. We then moved back to California for 3 more years before coming to our current place of residence in New Orleans, LA. Every place had its own unique feel to it and I loved being able to experience all that. I can never be grateful enough for the memories I got from being a military child. Although not every step was easy there's nothing on this Earth that I'd trade for it. I am currently on track to earning a Bachelor's degree in sonography. Once I finish college, I am considering joining the military myself and continuing my career through that because I've always wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps. After the military, I want to open an ultrasound clinic so that I may help all women who need care throughout their pregnancy.