By Matt Browning
All Rose Hill senior Ava Markley has ever known is her dad in the Air Force.
Chris Markley has been serving the country for 18 years and while there was some adversity for Ava and her family when she was little, they get to be together all of the time.
“When I was growing up, my dad was deployed several times and missed a lot of time at home,” Ava Markley said. “He missed out on a lot of firsts and personal life events. But now, we are lucky enough to have him home most of the time.”
Like any child, Markley looked up to her dad and wanted to be just like him. But over time, Markley has decided there are other ways she can emulate her dad.
“I used to want to be a pilot like my dad, but through another life experience I have decided to serve to my community in a different way,” Markley said.
Being raised in a military home provided Markley and her sister many attributes that will prove to be beneficial not only in the short term, but the long term as well.
“I do think I was raised differently than other kids,” Markley said. “My dad has always taught me to set and achieve goals, have discipline in my personal and academic life, and the importance of respecting and serving others in any way possible. My parents have always had high expectations of me, but are proud no matter what the outcome, as long as I give it my all.”
