Sophia is a bold and ambitious graduating senior who is charting a path less traveled. While many of her peers chose college, or conventional career routes, Sophia made the brave decision to serve her country by enlisting in the United States Army where she will train and serve as a combat medic. However, her decision was not made lightly. It was the result of months of deep personal reflection, conversations with service members, and a growing attraction to the discipline, intensity, and camaraderie of military life. 

She describes feeling “path-less” at first, unsure of her future while those around her made clear-cut decisions. College never felt like the right fit, but the structure and challenge of the military sparked something in her. After hearing her brother’s boot camp experience and speaking with recruiters, she chose to enlist the moment she turned 18. 

Sophia speaks with grounded wisdom beyond her years. She advises others considering military service to reflect seriously—not just on logistics, but on moral and emotional readiness. “Are you prepared to kill? Are you prepared to die? Are you prepared to go lengths of time without seeing family or friends?” she writes. She encourages young people to write down their thoughts and listen for guidance—whether from within or from a higher power.

Throughout high school, Sophia found community and resilience through cross country, which she credits as the best thing she did. From competitions to team meals, those moments shaped some of her happiest memories. She also acknowledges the difficulty of the post-COVID transition and the broader societal unrest that marked her high school experience, saying that “adversity leads to the greatest strength.”

We are so proud of Sophia Tubridy who will be starting basic training with the US Military this Fall. Thank you for your service, Sophia!