The Power of Trying: A Message to Young People

When I was your age, I didn’t have a plan.
I didn’t know what I wanted to be.
I didn’t even speak English well.

What I did have was uncertainty… and a quiet hope that maybe my life could be more than what I could see in front of me.

I couldn’t imagine where I would be in five years — let alone twenty. I never imagined I would travel the world, earn a college degree, serve my country, or one day be able to support my family in ways I once only dreamed of.

And yet, here I am.

Not because I had everything figured out—but because I took a chance, and that single decision set my path in motion.

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You Don’t Have to Know Your Future Yet

If you’re in high school right now feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or even a little lost, I want you to hear this:

👉 That’s completely okay.

I didn’t have a plan.
I didn’t have perfect grades.
I didn’t have confidence.
I didn’t even speak English well when I joined the U.S. Army at 20 years old.

What I did have was a willingness to try.

So many young people think they need to have their entire future figured out before taking a step forward. The truth is — most of us figure it out along the way.

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What the Military Taught Me About Life

The military gave me much more than a job. It gave me skills and confidence I didn’t even know I was capable of.

It taught me:

• How to believe in myself
• How to work as part of a team
• How to lead and be led
• How to push through fear and doubt
• How to take responsibility
• How to keep going when things get hard

I learned discipline.
I learned resilience.
I learned that failure doesn’t define you — it teaches you.

I even went to Airborne School and didn’t pass. And you know what? That didn’t stop my career. It just redirected it.

Failure didn’t end my story. It shaped it.

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A World Bigger Than I Ever Imagined

My first duty station was Germany. From there, my world opened up in ways I never expected.

I:

• Traveled to Paris and Spain
• Earned a German driver’s license
• Took German language courses
• Served as a Combat Lifesaver
• Drove 5-ton military vehicles
• Deployed to Saudi Arabia
• Served with a Patriot Missile unit

Some days were long and exhausting — 24-hour guard duty, training, and responsibility.

Other days were unforgettable — making friends from all over the country, playing sports, learning new cultures, and realizing how big the world really is.

And all of it started with one decision to try.

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Family, Service, and Legacy

Later in my career, I served 16 years in the Montana Army National Guard as a full-time Soldier.

I met my husband there — a proud Montana native who joined the Guard at 17 and is now in his 33rd year of service.

Our son followed in our footsteps. He joined the Guard right after high school and is now a Second Lieutenant, preparing to become an Army pilot.

Service became part of our family story.

Because of the opportunities the military gave me, I was also able to:

• Earn my dual bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University.
• Help my parents immigrate to the U.S.
• Support my family financially.
• Build a stable life I never imagined possible.

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The Truth No One Tells You

You don’t need:

• Perfect grades
• Perfect English
• A perfect plan
• Or a perfect background

You just need the courage to try.

You will make mistakes.
You will have hard days.
You might get corrected or challenged.
You might even get discouraged.

I filled sandbags.
Pulled kitchen duty.
Stood fire guard.
Got reprimanded once or twice.

And honestly?

👉 I would do it all over again.

Because every challenge shaped me into who I am today.

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Life After the Uniform

Today, I’m retired and grateful.

I spend my time:

• With my family
• Supporting my church and community
• Helping students when I can
• Taking care of my parents and loved ones

Because of my service, I have stability, healthcare, education, and the ability to give back.

And I never forget where I started.

I’m still that girl learning English.
Still grateful.
Still amazed by how far life has taken me.

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A Final Message to You

If you’re young and unsure about your future, let me leave you with this:

✨ You don’t have to have it all figured out.
✨ You just have to be willing to try.
✨ The sky truly is the limit.

If I — a young woman with little English and no clear plan — could build a life full of purpose, opportunity, and meaning…

So can you.