| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | The most memorable childhood experience would be a tie between playing on my uncle's farm or volunteering with the Civil Air Patrol. When I went to the farm, we got to build forts in the woods, ride four-wheelers, help with chores, ride horses, and shoot guns. With Civil Air Patrol, I learned the principles of flight and got to fly a Cessna 172. I was taught how to conduct search and rescue missions and how to provide disaster relief. We learned how to wear a uniform, the proper military customs and courtesies, and the core beliefs of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I am equally close with both my mom and dad. Growing up, my mom was always the one that would help me with my homework projects as my dad worked nights. My dad would make up for lost time due to work by planning family vacations. It was always fun as he worked for the airlines when I was young. My mom was always there for my trips to Civil Air Patrol and became known as the squadron's mom. Every year, my dad always planned a one-on-one hunting trip that I will never forget. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | An essential character trait that I admire is that of integrity. Knowing that I can trust a person to do the right thing even when no one is looking is the basis of trust. It’s a motto that I have tried to live by since I was young. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | I was working as a server while going to college. It was a bar, grill, and bowling alley. I was coming out of the kitchen during a busy night because of the bowling league. I had a large appetizer sampler served on an xl pizza platter in both hands. I was walking down the lanes, and I swear a gust of wind hit me because I could feel the large trays start to sway back and forth. They both went down with clatter and splatter. I was covered in marinara, cheese, ranch, and blue cheese sauces. The whole bowling alley looked at me and began to laugh. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | If money and time were no issue, I would love to tour all of Europe. For two main reasons. I am mainly northern European and would like to visit places my family is from. The second reason is that I have been interested in history, specifically WWII, since I was a young child. I want to visit and pay my respects to all that lost their lives in the war. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I want to pass on all the lessons that I have learned. First, like never, and I say never, give someone your primary email address to anyone you don't know. Take it from me and my 6000 unread emails. When you love someone, don't forget to show them every day. Love is a living thing and must be maintained by both people. It's okay to be different because good people will like you for who you are. |
