Warrant Officer Hansen visits Berendo Middle School

Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Hansen talked to two eighth-grade classes, telling her young audience that public, civil and military service has many rewards.  

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES

07.17.2013

Story by 1st Lt. Fernando Ochoa 

311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command   

LOS ANGELES – Warrant Officer Amanda Hansen, a human resource technician from the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, located in Los Angeles, Calif., visited the students at Berendo Middle School May 17 as part of an annual career day program.

Berendo Middle School is an inner city school located west of downtown Los Angeles in the Pico-Union district. There are 1104 students in grades 6-8, where 92 percent are Latino, 6 percent are Asian (primarily Korean) and 1 percent are African-American.

Thirty-one percent of the students are English learners and 100 percent qualify for the free/reduced lunch program.

Hansen came to talk to the students about how she had a similar experience growing up in a lower socially-economic background and how it didn’t stop her from being successful.

“I barely graduated with the grades I had,” said Hansen. “College isn’t just for ‘A’ students.”

Hansen came to talk about the importance of an education. She came from a large family that included eight children - one severely handicapped. Her parents always insisted that she and her siblings graduate from high school, since her father never did. Many of the students that attend Berendo Middle School have parents who also have little formal education.

“It’s important to start thinking about making plans for the future,” said Hansen. “No matter what life path you end up on.”

Hansen talked to two eighth-grade classes. One of her messages was that education and training doesn’t always mean four years of college right after high school. She told her young audience that public, civil and military service has many rewards that include stable pay, equal treatment and the opportunity to travel.

The children were excited to see a soldier in uniform. They were eager and asked Hansen about her service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“They were amazed when I started giving them the specifications of my assigned weapon,” said Hansen. “They liked all the hats I brought in, especially my helmet.”

A native of Leeds, Utah, Hansen will soon be completing her bachelor’s degree and wants to continue her education with a law degree.

• Date Taken: 07.17.2013
• Date Posted: 07.18.2013 20:45
• Story ID: 110418
• Location: LOS ANGELES, CA, US
• Hometown: LEEDS, UT, US