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LETTERS TO NERA

Dear NERA,

I would like to begin by again thanking NERA This summer,
for the continuing support you have provided me for my I completed two
college education! A little bit about myself; I graduated Texas Tech courses remotely
in June 2022 from Rancho Bernardo High School in San and also worked full time at the Rancho Family Y (for-
Diego and have now started my sophomore year at Texas merly the YMCA) in San Diego, CA.
Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
I have always been a self-motivated person with my
My educational and career goal is to be a trauma sur- own internal drive to succeed. I’ve worked hard to be
geon in the United States Military. I have almost always a “straight A” student with minimal involvement by my
known that public health and service is my calling. For parents. I approach life with a starting point of happiness
my first college semester, as well as my high school years, and a positive outlook, even when faced with challenges.
I have always worked hard to get very good grades and I come from a long line of public service workers. My
keep myself healthy. I was always involved with athletics grandmother has a PhD in public health and was a nursing
as well as focusing on my academic performance. This is professor for decades. Both my parents are former police
true even as I faced some challenges along the way. These officers. My father, grandfather and two uncles are all also
included the difficult disruption to my life caused by a veterans of the U.S Armed Forces. Growing up around
serious injury to my nose and face, and all the academic these public servants and hearing stories about their ser-
and personal challenges that the pandemic has caused. vice to society has inspired me to choose an educational
Throughout it all, I was MVP of my JV water polo team, path and career that continues to follow in their footsteps.
a varsity swimmer for four years, motivated to volunteer As a military doctor, I will work to ensure, improve, and
in public service, and I’ve maintained high grades. protect the health and lives of our American heroes.

My educational and career goal is to be a trauma surgeon

in the United States Military. I have almost always

known that public health and service is my calling.

I finished my first year at Texas Tech with a 4.0 GPA, as By continuing to support my educational and career
well as achieved the highest grade in the entire class of 106 goals, you have also invested in the future health, care,
percent on my chemistry final for the Fall 2022 Semester. and success of our servicemembers. I sincerely appreciate
I have gotten involved with research regarding the effects your continued support for my college tuition expenses at
of alcohol on muscles in hopes to prevent alcohol abuse in Texas Tech University.
high school and college athletes. With this research expe-
rience, alongside good grades, I hope to get accepted to Sincerely,
the Armed Forces medical school in Bethesda, Maryland. Ashley Williams

NERA loves feedback. Keep them coming

by emailing us at [email protected].

The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association 9