The Beginning of a Journey
Beat
College “Are you sure you want to
do this?” That was the
question that multiple
people asked me as I expressed my
interest in applying to the United States
Naval Academy. As the daughter of two
Mexican immigrants, I knew very little about
the military and college process. However, I did know
that I needed to find a way to college. As I prepared for
interviews with officers and state representatives and
trained for fitness tests, I learned more about the
military and shared it with my parents. Even though it
was a new adventure, neither one of us knew what
would happen, they still pushed me forward.
Although there are no military members in my
immediate family, my parents instilled values of
discipline and perseverance in me. This presented
itself my freshman year when I struggled to find my
place at USNA. Like everyone else, Plebe Year was
As I near the end of my first semester of my
difficult for me. For the first time, I was not in a diverse
sophomore year, I appreciate how far I have come
environment. I had culture shock. I missed my family
thanks to not only my family and friends in Mississippi
and their loudness, I missed my mother’s cooking and
and Mexico but my many mentors at USNA. I pinch
the smell of especies. For the first time I was not
myself because of how far I have come: a daughter of
surrounded by people who looked like me or shared
immigrant parents who made something out of
life experiences. I could not depend on my parents to
nothing, building a foundation for a road of success -
understand because it was a whole different world.
that I hope to continue paving in the military and the
I felt isolated from the people around me and
civilian world. L S
the people back home. I would cry to my parents
and eventually, my father told me to “get up and do
something about it.” He refused to let me pity myself
when he knew I could do so much more. So, I began
to walk out of my comfort zone and introduce myself
to classmates who have now become some of
the most amazing friends. I have also encountered
amazing mentors here at USNA who have pushed
me to talk about my experiences and share my
family’s story.
Due to the push of one English teacher, I wrote a
paper for extra credit, which gave me the opportunity
to speak at the first Diversity Conference at USNA and
share about my heritage and my parents. In October, I
shared the same story with a larger group at the
second Diversity Conference.
Along with that, I’ve had many more opportunities
for professional and military development. This past
summer I was able to spend a month in San Diego,
California, immersing myself in Navy and Marine
Corps communities. I also traveled to Israel to study
Arabic and learn about the culture and people of a
diverse nation.
48
LATINAStyle Vol. 27, No. 6, 2021 www.latinastyle.com
Want to comment or have any questions on this
article? Email us at info@latinastyle.com
By Alondra Reyes
Midshipman, United States Naval Academy
Alondra at a Navy football game against SMU.
Alondra with her Marine Mentor, Major
Sanchez during Marine Corps Ball, 2021.
PROTRAMID summer training, 2021.
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton during
Marine week.
Alondra’s family: mother Flor Reyes, father
Alonso Reyes, brother Max Reyes, and
younger brother Isaias Reyes.