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Life after high school can take many routes for many different people. For Amanda Thomopoulos her choice was clear, the Air Force was the way to go. After six years of active duty, and just finishing up her eight-year contract, the 27-year-old is taking on her next life challenge: a听.

When Thomopoulos听graduated high school, she knew college right away was not an option. Being a strong-minded individual helped her choose her own听route, one听that was听patriotic and made sense financially. Thomopoulos听was not ready to choose听what to be for the rest of her life, so she made the arguably听bolder听decision to join the military.听

Marrying her high school sweetheart at age 19, Thomopoulos听and her husband听went into duty together, and both came out stronger. Saying that the experience was necessary and beneficial for Amanda is an understatement 鈥斕齣t prepared her to take on any other challenge in her life and made her more mature and ready for college.听She said the discipline she听learned in the Air Force helped shape her life choices and focus on her future.

"It was a good stepping stone," Thomopoulos said. "I knew it was something I needed to do, and I stepped up for my country."

Thomopoulos is now studying at UNH Manchester, focusing her studies on accounting. She said she chose UNH because of the credentials as a business school, and the Manchester campus specifically because it has a the perks of the college atmosphere, but with more flexibility and closer to her听home. After she gets her degree, Thomopoulos听hopes to become a Certified Public Accountant听and land a job in the field.

For those taking a non-traditional route to college, take Thomopoulos as your example. There's no age or time听limit on pursuing your life dreams. Thank you to Thomopoulos and听all servicemembers past and present for your commitment听to keeping us safe.听

Written by Franceska Balle '16, Biology