TO TWINKIE: ON WHAT POSSESSED ME TO CHOOSE A DIFFERENT PATH AT AGE 16:

UPON DISCOVERING I COULD GET ACCEPTED INTO MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE, AS PART OF THE PROJECT SOAR, SUMMER CAMPUS, STUDY PROGRAM, I DECIDED THAT I WANTED TO BE IN THE U.S. NAVY'S DELAYED ENTRY PROGRAM, TO PROVE THAT WOMEN COULD AND SHOULD BE TRULY EMPOWERED. I GREW UP SURROUNDED BY THE D.C. MONUMENT, MEMORIALS, AND PLAYING AROUND THE PENTAGON, ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. I WANTED TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE ACTUAL, ORIGINAL, U.S. CONSTITUTION, WHICH SEEMED LIKE AN EXTENSION TO MY LITTLE BACKYARD IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.