The architecture classes completed their seventh Tiny Home to be donated to a veteran.
By Jacob Valcarce Video EditorThroughout the duration of the school year, the tiny home crew was building their 7th home. On May 7th they got to reveal the home for the community which will be donated to a veteran. Different people gave speeches at the ceremony, including construction instructor Melissa Taylor as well as former building principal Lisa Drabing.
“It was important to have her as a guest speaker because she knows the history of the project,” Taylor said. “She was very supportive when we first asked if we could take on a project of this magnitude.”
Administration from Humble ISD were there too, including those from the school.
“Our KP administration is always present and supportive,” Taylor said. “Their presence means a lot to our program.”
The veteran selected goes through Babara Lange who is the property owner of Langetree Eco Center and retreat. She works for the VFW and veterans administration to determine who’s involved.
The $34,000 project was built within the school year, facing intense heat, flooding, and having to move locations. With a partnership from “Operation Finally Home,” they used a grant from Lowes as well as others.
a master electrician who provides training and oversees the electrical work. Kingwood Homes’ Jose Maldonado trains and oversees the plumbing portion of work with the students.”
Overall, the team gets help with the construction, but the home is designed and worked on by the students with the guidance of Taylor.
Lead architect Andrew Hennings,12, designed the home for the year, and 19 students worked on the project from beginning to end.
“I learned a lot about dealing with issues and setbacks, how that kind of affects you for the future.”
“We also have relationships with various community members,” Taylor said. “Wisenbaker Builder Services -cabinets, flooring and countertops -- Lew Electrical. Travis Alvarez is
“We spend a long time designing and making plans for the house that will actually work, that don’t just look good,” Hennings said. “They have to be functional and they have to fit the needs of a disabled person.”
At the ceremony, it was also announced which juniors will lead next year’s project. The
lead architect will be Hogan Anderson. The captains will be Chase Bennett, Major Dalby, Peyton Seay and lead interior designer Emily Petruncio.
“They were chosen because they are really smart, really hard working kids, and they have a great knowledge of what to do,” Hennings said. “They were on the team this year as first year students and they picked up really well and really quickly on some techniques. And by the end of the year they were able to lead kind of mini projects on their own without any captains needing to direct them.”
The home has taught a lot about basic construction skills and using tools. However, at least for Hennings, it has also helped him figure
out what he’s going to do after high school.
“I’ve learned a lot about using and building measurement,” Hennings said. “And then I’ve learned a lot about leading a team, getting other people to do what you need them to do so that it can all fit together. And then I learned a lot about dealing with issues and setbacks, how that kind of affects you for the future. I think it makes me better off going into what I want to do in the future as a construction manager. So I think a lot of the stuff that I’ve learned from taking on will apply.”
Araging storm began and slowly forced Lake Conroe to exceed its capacity, flooding the streets of Kingwood, on May 2. Students were stuck at home because of flooded streets, and others tried to navigate the flooded roads to find streets safe enough to drive through.
“When I saw the parking lot was flooded, I told my friend we were going home,” senior Morgen Dozier said. “The water came up to my car’s hood on the way to my house.”
As Dozier attempted to go to school with friend sophomore Marisa Chinen, they were caught in the downpour.
“We were afraid of getting
caught in the flooded streets with the power going out,” Chinen said.
Even students who did not go to school were worried about their homes and family members. Because of the severity of the weather,
students like senior Yazmine Pena feared what was to come for their home and pets.
“I was sick and I didn’t plan on coming to school anyway and then I heard about a dam coming and we were supposed to get flooded so I kinda got worried because we have a whole bunch of animals,” Pena said.
The unexpectedness of the storm made it difficult for many to navigate their way around Kingwood. Places like Forest Cove were under high waters up to six feet.
“It flooded around every street so we couldn’t leave the house,” Pena said.
During Harvey, families like Balcoms faced flooding that caused them to evacuate.
“So [we] had to carry the
dogs while they were swimming, then [I] had to carry [my] backpack with all [my] clothes in it, and it was just heavy, and your arms hurt.” freshman River Balcom said. Houston officials then urged people east of the San Jacinto river to evacuate if they flooded during Harvey. Damages were generally less severe with this most recent flood. Despite the tragedy of the storm many still found themselves enjoying the extra time with their loved ones.
“I had fun kayaking through the water to get to the store,” Pena said.
Sitting outside a recreational baseball game with her mom, senior Maya Ortiz began logging in to check her last two college application results –Brown and Yale. Ortiz couldn’t get the email from Brown to load, so she decided to try to get her Yale results on her iPad. Once she logged in, confetti flew across her screen.
“I was just kind of in shock,” Ortiz said. “But the days after, I just kept refreshing to make sure that the letter still confirmed acceptance, make sure the confetti was flying. I just had to have it confirmed.”
Ortiz, who competed at the UIL State Academic Meet on May 14 in Editorial Writing, is a two-time NSPA Photojournalist of the Year, a two-year member of the Houston Zoo’s Teen Leadership Council and ranked No. 3 in the Class of 2024. Next year, she will attend Yale to study Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
For a student who used to have trouble holding conversations and making eye contact with adults in middle school, Ortiz has changed
dramatically. In high school, she often gave presentations to packed rooms of student journalists at state and national conventions. She also spoke with hundreds of Houston Zoo guests about conservation and animals as well as taught Houston-area teens how to become the next generation of conservation heroes.
“Looking back at the past four years and who I was before joining journalism, I think that’s been the greatest success,” Ortiz said. “Just being able to see how well I’m communicating now and what I’ve been able to do for this community.”
then covered his whole journey, from the original diagnosis to his eventual victory.
In January, Ortiz was on the red carpet event as a correspondent for Humble ISD when Coovert was awarded the Inspiration Award at the Houston Sports Awards Show. She interviewed Coovert on the red carpet. He spotted her again later in a smaller press conference after he received his award.
“I can see it 10 years down the road. She is going to be on the top of her game. She’s going somewhere.”
One of the stories she worked on this year was coach Eric Coovert’s journey with cancer. Ortiz first covered Coovert when he won Teacher of the Year in 2023. She then reached out over the summer asking if she could help share Coovert’s story and battle with cancer in the Kingwood Park Times. Ortiz
Eric Coovert, who taught senior Maya Ortiz the past two years.
“I just remember seeing her, and it made me have all these memories going back to August –when I told all my classes (about my diagnosis) to the article she wrote about me and what I’m going through,” Coovert said. “And so I think it was that moment I got excited and then I kind of lost my composure. And I said, ‘Maya!’ and I raised my hand in an entire room full of journalists. I called out one person, and that was Maya.”
Ortiz never expected to find herself in front of the camera on the red carpet interviewing Coovert or Astros manager Joe Espada. But so much has changed since she first joined journalism.
She was not a talker, but she liked being behind the lens of a camera. Her mom, journalism adviser Megan Ortiz, suggested she give it a try. She originally started photographing girls soccer games when her older sister was playing.
“I wouldn’t be doing journalism if it weren’t for my mom,” Ortiz said. “It was way out of my wheelhouse when I joined high school, like, never would have been something I would have even considered. And then, just having Kathleen, my older sister, as my first editor-in-chief. I always looked up to her, specifically in the role she held in this program and the success she had.”
It didn’t take long before Maya started doing more than taking pictures. She became interested in telling people’s stories through writing. She began talking to people, and telling their stories like Luc Wehby, Gina Sanchez and Ashton Smith.
“I think the big thing that I learned since freshman year
would be communication,” Ortiz said. “Learning how to talk to people. And there’s still moments where, like, I get really anxious. There have been multiple times this year where, I don’t know if I’d call it social anxiety, but I get a little nervous when talking to people. And I’m like, ‘It’s been four years, Maya. You’ve been doing this for four years. Grow up. You can figure this out, I promise.’”
She has interviewed hundreds of people, talked to countless Houston Zoo guests and tried to defuse stressful situations as an umpire at softball games.
Those who have worked closely with her have seen the change. Umpire Doug Haley first met Ortiz when she was 9 years old and pitching in KGSA. He followed her playing career and then hired her when she started umpiring.
He saw her go from quiet to confident on the field, and he was one of the first people she texted after she got into Yale.
“You just wouldn’t believe it, but I knew she was getting in,” Haley said. “I was so overcome with joy and happiness. I am proud of her for the umpire that she has become and also I am proud of the young lady she is becoming. All the good things that are coming to her is because she has earned them. Yale is lucky to have her.”
In March, Ortiz went to New Haven, Conn., for “Bulldog Days” at Yale, where she spent two nights in the dorms with current students and met a number of incoming freshmen. She toured the campus, talked to the administrators, watched student performances and visited La Casa – a cultural house for Latino students. On one tour, the guide was currently in Ortiz’s planned major.
“It was really cool to hear about her experiences and then see all of the places and all of the resources available to me,” Ortiz said. “That was probably my favorite part – talking to people. Every part of being on campus was amazing.”
Ortiz also already met with the Yale Daily News editors and signed up for the club softball team. She looks forward to getting research experience her freshman year, possibly in ornithology – an area she researched as a founding member of the Bird-saving Campaign at the Houston Zoo.
“[I expect to see her] impacting thousands,” Coovert said. “I know if she puts her heart into it, just like anything she did here at Kingwood Park, then she’s going to be able to master that and be one of the best in that subject field.
“I can see it 10 years down the road. She is going to be on the top of her game. She’s going somewhere. She’ll be moving ladders and people in the right direction.”
Junior David Gonzalez was elected the 2024-2025 Texas HOSA President in April. The HOSA state presidency is one of the most difficult roles a high school student to earn.
HOSA sponsor teacher Leanna Rockwell said Gonzalez’s presidency is a first for a student at Kingwood Park and a great opportunity for the school’s HOSA chapter.
“With him being Texas State President, that means that there’s so many more opportunities for Kingwood Park High School,” Rockwell said. “We’re gonna know a lot more of what HOSA offers, get that kind of like inside information.”
Q: How long have you been involved in HOSA and what have your roles been?
Gonzalez: “I’ve been in HOSA since I was a sophomore. In my sophomore year of high school, I went all the way to the International Conference as a voting delegate for the HOSA Executive Council.
“My junior year of high school this year, I have served as the president-elect for our local chapter, which basically involves helping with meetings and being a general officer since I’m elected for next year’s presidency. I’ve also been mentored by our current President Mark Johansen.
“I’ve also been blessed to be elected as an Area 6, which is the entire area of Houston and a little bit of Dallas, which is like 4,000 members, for the President of the Area 6 officer team.
“[I am also the] Texas State president, which has 40,000 members, which is crazy.”
Q: What was your reaction to winning the HOSA State President position?
Gonzalez: “To be honest, I didn’t really expect to win the state presidency. I knew that I was going to be a state officer, so I was going to be happy either way being able to contrib-
ute to the organization at that level.
“My speech [for the president election] got cut off short, because during the entire leadership academy I was told that I talk too fast when I’m delivering my speeches, and that people don’t have the time to understand what I’m saying. So when I delivered my speech, I slowed myself down a lot more than how I’m used to speaking. So the end of my speech got cut off and I was like, ‘Okay, well, it’s fine. I did what I could.’
“But then whenever they called my name for a runoff election, I thought, ‘I can really do this.’ ... I’ve had so many hour-long meetings after school on Zoom. Every time, I just feel so blessed to have been put in that position.”
Q: What will your responsibilities be as HOSA state president?
Gonzalez: “I am the director of operations for about 40,000 people. I help plan and deliver a speech during this year’s international conference, as HOSA spans across multiple nations.
“I plan both the state HOSA leadership conference and the Area 6 HOSA leadership conference. I lead a group of amazing officers from throughout the state, plan fundraising, social media campaigns, public service projects, and public health projects.
“I serve as a member of the HOSA-TA Board of Directors, travel to outreach with schools and events, volunteer on behalf of HOSA and serve as a role model for the brand. I help host leadership trainings, mentor younger members and more. The time commitment involves multiple meetings every month, hours of planning and work on my own, and eventually I will miss weeks of school to plan for events and test out venues and for leadership academies.”
Q: What do you plan on doing in your future as a career?
Gonzalez: “I plan on being in the physical trauma world, (i.e. assaults and accidents) as either an Emergency Medicine Doctor or Trauma Surgeon. I really value the emergency medical services field and I feel like I could contribute to saving lives even in a highstress environment. I would like to help curve deaths in violent areas and treat patients who are victims of both abuse and severe accidents.”
Interviews by Heather Horace, Sydnei White and Emily Mckithern. Design by Kaitlyn Sitton.
Chris Echols
“Most optimistic because I’m always trying to be happy go lucky and cheerful and think of the good things in life.”
MacKenzie Furman:
“I think I’m most likely to become the richest, because I want to become an international travel nurse.”
Jaxon Sims:
“Most likely to defeat Thanos, and I just think after I’ve watched all of the movies I could just smack him like he’s really a bot.”
Taylor Crawford:
“I would pick most likely to make friends with the other team because I want to be a likable person.”
Aiden Pucci:
“I would pick Class Clown because I make people laugh and people think I’m funny.”
Makenzie Taylor:
“I’d say most likely to be the best time manager because I always over fill my schedule and still find time to be everywhere and get everything done.”
Meet each of the multi-talented students who finished in the Top 10 for the Class of 2024. At KPTimes.com, read about their journeys through high school and what their plans are going after graduation.
Aziir Caver:
“I think best dressed suits me the most because my style is different from everyone else’s at the school.”
Addie Gray:
“I would say I’m the most likely to be the best napper because when I come home from school I’ll take 5+ hour naps.”
Seniors earned honor cords and stoles in a variety of organizations throughout high school. They collected them at Honors Night on April 27. See more images from the evening at KPTimes.com.
Senior
Senior Megan Heginbothem
as she struts through the entrance.(Kait)
Taylor Mattingly
”Freshman year was a moment, but it wasn’t my moment. I would describe my style now as more mature looking, leaning into comfortable.”
Josh Auzenne“I don’t think I own a single article of clothing that’s from a general store anymore. It’s all from thrift stores.”
Courtney Rutkowski
“The most important part of my outfits is balancing out the contrasts. Some clothes look better with lights and others with darks, and just finding what’s most flattering.”
Uzi Ruiz Ortiz
“The most important part of an outfit are the proportions. If the proportions don’t work, neither does the outfit.”
Dayanara Madora
“Please wear accessories. They complete an outfit.”
For many student-athletes, their sports careers end during their senior year of high school. However, a select few commit to colleges to pursue their dreams.
The commitment process looks different for every athlete. Some begin contacting coaches in their sophomore year while others decide later in their senior year. For senior Davion Sanford, the commitment process was easier than most because of the exposure he had on Twitter.
The basketball player played on a national team where he was able to talk to college coaches on Twitter and eventually through messages.
“I played on this national AAU team, so I was playing everywhere, like Memphis and Mississippi,” said Sanford, who is committed to Houston Christian University. “So that’s how you get a lot of exposure.”
Sanford got into contact with coaches by posting write-ups with game stats on Twitter. Sanford plans on playing at Houston Christian University for two years, then enter the transfer portal to see if he can attend a Power Five school for the rest of his college career. If his plans to go to a Power Five school don’t work out, Sanford plans on attending a trade school for welding.
Other student-athletes have similar plans to transfer to other schools after two years. Softball player Erika Savage is committed to Louisiana State University-Eunice, which is a two year college. Savage plans to either continue playing softball or attend a nursing school to get her degree.
Savage attended a softball camp where she met the coaches and saw a connection, which initiated her commitment process.
“I met the coach at a camp and she seemed really genuine,” Sav-
age said. “She was really caring, which is hard to find in a lot of college coaches because they seem very removed from the process and they’re kind of just trying to fill spots for their team.”
Soccer commit Brynn Baldon had a similar experience to Savage with the coaches who recruited her. When going through the recruiting process Baldon had different experiences with many coaches. Baldon said the coach
at Northeastern State University approached her differently than others.
“He saw me play in a game and then emailed me, but it was what was in his email that was different,” Baldon said. “He didn’t know I was related to my sister at first. So it made me feel more valued knowing it wasn’t just because of her.”
Baldon’s older sister, Brooke Baldon, also attended North-
eastern State University where she played soccer for four years. Brynn Baldon felt more important to the team knowing that the coach recruited her because of her talents and not because her sister attended.
For many of the athletes who went through the process it was the coach that made the difference for them. After Baldon attends Northeastern State University she plans to attend dental school to become a dentist.
Baldon’s commitment process took under a year, while others spent longer to find the right school for them. Swim and Dive commit Logen Black is attending Centre College in the fall. His commitment process took longer than others because he went on many visits to different colleges who took interest in him.
“I started the summer before my junior year and I went on trips to colleges that were interested in me,” said Black. “I kept in contact with coaches and I finally took the right trip and was with the right people.”
Black has found benefits to committing such as saving money and getting different food plans. Many athletes have also seen benefits from committing to smaller schools for their freshman year. Baldon and Black are both attending small schools where they have smaller classes and a closer connection to more people.
The student-athletes who commit have found the application process to be easier. Without having to apply for scholarships or write essays for colleges the student-athletes have found that committing makes applying to colleges go by quicker.
“I don’t have to go through the whole college application process which is lovely,” Savage said. “My application was really smooth, really easy and I didn’t have to write a bunch of essays.”
By Tricia Darcy Staff Writer
Students of all grade levels gathered at their home turf to watch four teams of girls compete in flag football games on May 10. In the last game of the night, the senior class defeated the freshmen, 14-6, to win the title for the second year in a row.
The reigning champs defeated the sophomore class in their first game to advance to the championship game. The Class of 2027 became the first freshman team to reach the championship game by narrowly defeating the juniors.
“I’m super excited,” senior Eva Abshire said after the seniors won their first game. “Kenzie (Taylor) got the interception and then I ran it home for a touchdown.”
The quick freshman class made their presence known early. A late-game safety by the junior class helped lift the freshmen and send the junior class to face the sophomores in the toilet bowl.
“I think there was an error on the offensive side of the ball that really made the game go the other way,” junior coach Alex Hartnett said after losing their first game. “But overall, I think we did really good.”
Although the junior class lost the first game, the team came back to win the
bowl game against the sophomore class.
toilet Senior Brynn Baldon grabs the jersey of freshman Maddie Moffitt in the championship game on May 10. The freshman won 14-6. Photo by Grace Darcy. As time expires on the clock, the seniors sprint onto the field to celebrate their 14-6 victory over the freshmen in the championship game. The Class of 2024 also won the Powder Puff tournament last year. Photo by Maya Ortiz. Senior Sienna Morales pulls down an interception in the championship game. She and teammate Reese Shaw helped lift the seniors to the win. Photo by Maya Ortiz. Senior Lexi Villanueva tries to stay on her feet after she pulls the flag from freshman Rionna Martin in the championship game on May 10. Photo by Maya Ortiz. The sophomores take a picture after finishing in fourth. They are 0-4 in two years of Powder Puff games. Photo by Grace Darcy. Senior Uzziel Ruiz Ortiz strikes a pose after being launched in the air by his fellow cheerleaders during the Powder Puff game on May 10. Photo by Maya Ortiz.Summer Vacation. Almost there. Graduation.
Couldn’t have come sooner for us seniors. The Weather. How is it already this hot? Rap Beef. BBL drizzy. Senior Assassin. Stop going to Fitness Project. New Cafeteria Drinks. Unexpectedly delicious.
Final Exams. My brain’s too fried to study. Dance Moms Reunion. Other people need to go! Busy Work.
We’re just as done as you are, put on a movie. Stricter regulations.
Please pick between scorching and freezing No Service.
It’s too boring to not be able to use our phones. TikTok Ban. Getting a bit serious now…
February 2024
Volume 10, Issue 4 Kingwood, Texas 77339
Maya Ortiz, editor-in-chief Fallon Head, web editor
Exa Nix, managing editor
Jacob Valcarce, video editor
Kaitlyn Sitton, design editor
Bailey Hall, news editor
STAFF WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS & SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Emerson Harris, Ramiro Hernandez, Ana La Rosa Grillo, Garrison Moritz, Shelby Townsend, Evelyn Vela-West, Dannika Melendez Mateo, Trenten Estes, Jada Cassidy, Grace Darcy, Morgen Dozier, Maddie Glenn, Leah Torres, Luke Cavallo, Cas Magee, Ace Richards, Avery Steinke, Arleigh Doehring, Jordan Hutchinson, Sydney Ortiz, Preston Carpenter, Victoria Anisi, Bishop Scott, Tricia Darcy, Cameron Minatrea, Freya Ball, Ella Hickman, Angie Gonzalez.
Adviser: Megan Ortiz
Cover Photo: Students featured on the cover included senior Elise Melonson (shoes), freshman Karter Broadnax (headphones) and junior Debbie Sullivan (water bottle). Photos were taken by Sydney Ortiz, Maya Ortiz and Kaitlyn Sitton.
Each year, a variety of courses are offered through San Jacinto College for high school students to take during the summer. It is a great option for students to use to get ahead in classes, earn college credit, boost GPA, and the district does a good job supporting students while they are applying.
during the school year while still getting the graduation requirements.
NEWS: Students utilize summer Dual Credit options
Taking dual credit courses over the summer allows students to get ahead and free up spaces in their schedules for other classes they want to take. Many students take classes like government and economics through summer dual credit courses so they don’t have to take them senior year.
It offers opportunities for students to take more electives and other classes they are interested in or late arrival or early release
Taking classes over the summer does affect GPA. This does mean if students miss the drop deadline in the middle of the college semester, whatever grade they get on the class can help or hurt overall GPA on the high school side. The class is weighted as an advanced class, so it is weighted on a 6 point scale as opposed to a 5 point scale. This can help students raise their GPA if wanted.
The district does a good job helping students utilize this opportunity by offering TSI Assessments throughout the year, hosting interest meetings at schools, and sending several emails out about deadlines and expectations.
Releasing in late April of 2024, The Spider is a masterclass of body horror and fan films, showing how such creativity for an already existing franchise can still be achieved.
The Spider is a fan film written and directed by Andy Chen, a short film director who works closely with LocustGarden, a film company producing horror short films released on YouTube.
These films would have varying success on the channel, with some not even breaking 50k views. This all changed, however, when a trailer dropped for a new fan film titled The Spider This short film takes a dark twist away from what we know from the average Spider-Man movie, turning Peter Parker from a lovable, wisecracking nerd who gains superpowers, to a grotesque monster.
The trailer amassed more than 1 million views, beginning the hype train for this film, with fans anticipating its release. Once released, we’re shown just how disturbing the movie would get, showing Peter’s slow descent into becoming a half spider, half man monster.
As we follow Peter through this film, we see him go through several events that led up to the eventual transformation, such as ripping the skin off the hand of a mugger, growing spiderlike limbs while in an ambulance, and having his teeth start falling out. These disturbing aspects of the film make it such a special first viewing experience, as this isn’t a usual Spider-
Man story; it gives you chills as we watch this beloved superhero icon turn into a beast very reminiscent of the monster from the 1986 movie The Fly
Once we reach the end we see what the short film has been building up to, We see Peter as a disgusting, and disfigured spider creature with fangs and more eyes than you can count. We watch as he tries to fight back against the urge of the monster, but in the end he fails and proceeds to eat Aunt May and Uncle Ben.
This ending is terrifying. Watching as a beloved superhero, known for his wise cracking and charisma, turns into a nightmarish creature is a great way to end the film and shock viewers who weren’t expecting such a dark ending.
The film doesn’t end here, however, as we are shown an after credits scene of a women running down an alley trying to avoid something or someone; and as she turns around she is attacked by a monster. This is Peter, fully transformed into a spider monster, now on the loose across the streets of New York.
This film is more than a short horror story. It’s a labor of love from people who love SpiderMan and horror, wanting to create a unique viewing experience that will shock viewers and leave a lasting impact on the audience. The people who made the film poured their hearts and souls into it with great acting, wonderful story, and effects that rival even the biggest professional movie studios. It’s a piece of Spider-Man media that people will not forget soon.
Igrew up with great admiration for female warriors and heroine characters. Some of my favorites were Trini Kwan, the Yellow Ranger in the original “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” series, and Wonder Woman, the Amazon warrior princess in the DC Universe “Wonder Woman” movie.
Before World War II, roles like that couldn’t even be imagined for women. Women were largely constrained by traditional gender roles which meant them tending to domestic needs and responsibilities; but during the war, there was a significant shift. World War II marked a historical turning point for women’s roles in society particularly regarding their integration in traditionally male-dominated work fields.
In 1948, The Women’s Armed Service Integration Act granted women permanent membership in the military, and in 2016, they were allowed to take any combatant jobs. Despite the progress, sexism and misogyny is still an issue within the Armed Forces, and the persistence of these gender-based challenges continues to hinder the progress and full integration within.
I decided to join the Marine Corps during my junior year after a Marine recruiter held a seminar with Coach Gorney’s US History class. When he started listing the benefits of signing up, I was bought. I requested a form for those interested and filled it out, providing my contact information as required.
The recruiter reached out to me and explained more about the Ma-
rine Corps. We scheduled a date for him to come to test me at school.
During flex period, I sat down to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) practice test and scored a 60. I was upset that I had failed, but he told me the grading scale was different for the ASVAB compared to what I was used to, and that scoring a 60 was a good thing. He then said I would do better on the main test because the practice test is normally harder. When I became a senior I abandoned the idea of joining the military and opted for college instead due to the lack of motivation; but when my elder sister texted me asking in her exact words, “You want to join the Marines?” everything took a turn for me. My sister spoke to my parents on my behalf and drove me to the recruiting station in Katy where I was redirected to the one in Humble. I took the practice test again and scored a 58, and then the
BY
ASVAB and scored a 97. I went to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and swore in in February after the processing.
The benefits that came with joining the military were what lured me in. As someone who doesn’t like to adhere to societal norms unless necessary, I wanted an escape. Yes, I still want to go to college but I don’t want to live my life like a robot. I want to explore my options and take risks, I want to test my limits and watch myself exceed them.
I can already imagine myself in the Marine Corps uniform, and how beautiful I would look in it walking with style and panache - which alone is a motivation, but it’s more than that for me. I yearn to belong, I want to establish camaraderie because, as an ambivert, I can be the most awkward and introverted person but also the most talkative with the right people. I’m hoping to finally be able to gain an identity
that will allow me to express myself fully, as well as shape me into the person I aspire to become.
This world wasn’t designed for women. Women around the world have had to fight for everything they own: marital rights, suffrage, equal pay, property ownership, education, legal rights and sports participation—to name a few. I wouldn’t be surprised if women had to fight to simply exist at some point. But because they fought, my generation of women has a different story to tell today, and that inspires me.
Although we’ve come a long way, there is still a lot that needs to be done. Women in the military today still suffer gender discrimination and bias, the worst of it all is increased sexual assault and harassment. I want to fight for the women of the future generation, so they don’t have to go through what we go through today, and also I want to fight for the women in my bloodline, to inspire and show them that there’s nothing outside our reach. I might be the first lady in my family to join the Marine Corps, adding to the list of powerful women that we have. That makes me want to keep trying until I see it through. Some people would say that that’s not enough reason to join the military, and I won’t make it through basic training, but only time will tell, and with a passion like mine and God backing me, I think I already know what the future holds.
Next stop, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego. Semper Fi.
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