Elementary school was fun while it lasted. If only our little selves knew how much school would quickly turn from parties and coloring books to anxiety and depression. The younger versions of ourselves shouldn’t have taken those pizza parties for granted, nor the days our teacher turned out the lights and put on a movie for the class. But as we progress through high school, we are led to one of our...

“Where are you going?” As graduation grows near, this looming question lingers above the heads of many high school seniors. Not only is this question often  redundant, it is also loaded. As it floats out of the mouths of grandparents, friends, neighbors, or teachers during cheerful conversation, the increasing expense of college twists the well-intentioned inquiry into a gloomy reality. It’s...

Sweat beads on Caroline Santerre’s brow, as her muscles strain, battling her mind to force one more push up. She finally succeeds, and she feels all the relief and pride of someone who had conquered Mount Everest. Only, she has, in her own way; she pushed herself harder than she ever had, all for her dream: becoming an FBI agent.   The National Guard is a reserve component of the United...