For weeks, 16-year-old Haley Childress watched as her best friend, confined to a hospital bed, succumbed to a rare autoimmune disease. As there often is in such circumstances, there were blessings in the tragedy. The two had time to talk about their dreams.
“Our biggest goal was to graduate college and she was within a couple of months when she passed,” Haley remembers with fondness and what resembles joy in her voice despite losing her friend. After all, because of that friend with whom she shared so much, Haley discovered her career path.
“I spent a lot of time in the hospital,” she says. “And watching the care that she received…I knew that I wanted to do something in service of people.”
That service began in March with Haley’s first job in her chosen field – healthcare administration – after graduating online from Liberty University with the help of a ThanksUSA scholarship. Haley’s husband, Air Force contract specialist Mckenze Childress, is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Haley worked as a nanny on base, but the couple’s combined income made college costs a challenge. Haley’s $3,000 ThanksUSA scholarship eased the burden.
“I definitely would not have been able to graduate debt free and that blows my mind because a lot of people don’t have the opportunity to do that and I’m just grateful for that,” Haley explains.
Haley is also thankful for another opportunity that led to her new role supporting the recruiting team of MHM Services, a Vienna, Virginia based company that fills health care positions in government. As a 21-year-old military spouse, Haley worried that potential deployments risked her career path.
“I think that is something a lot of military spouses struggle with, that they will move in a few years,” says Haley. “MHM took a chance on me.”
Her chance to work with the company came through networking. ThanksUSA invited Haley to its annual gala, seating her at table with corporate sponsor Centene Corporation. Centene has a joint venture with MHM called Centurion. One discussion led to another ... to a job interview … to MHM.
“Our biggest goal was to graduate college and she was within a couple of months when she passed,” Haley remembers with fondness and what resembles joy in her voice despite losing her friend. After all, because of that friend with whom she shared so much, Haley discovered her career path.
“I spent a lot of time in the hospital,” she says. “And watching the care that she received…I knew that I wanted to do something in service of people.”
That service began in March with Haley’s first job in her chosen field – healthcare administration – after graduating online from Liberty University with the help of a ThanksUSA scholarship. Haley’s husband, Air Force contract specialist Mckenze Childress, is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Haley worked as a nanny on base, but the couple’s combined income made college costs a challenge. Haley’s $3,000 ThanksUSA scholarship eased the burden.
“I definitely would not have been able to graduate debt free and that blows my mind because a lot of people don’t have the opportunity to do that and I’m just grateful for that,” Haley explains.
Haley is also thankful for another opportunity that led to her new role supporting the recruiting team of MHM Services, a Vienna, Virginia based company that fills health care positions in government. As a 21-year-old military spouse, Haley worried that potential deployments risked her career path.
“I think that is something a lot of military spouses struggle with, that they will move in a few years,” says Haley. “MHM took a chance on me.”
Her chance to work with the company came through networking. ThanksUSA invited Haley to its annual gala, seating her at table with corporate sponsor Centene Corporation. Centene has a joint venture with MHM called Centurion. One discussion led to another ... to a job interview … to MHM.
Haley is pictured above:
With Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green at the ThanksUSA Treasure Our Troops Gala, where he was Master of Ceremonies;
Speaking at a ThanksUSA tennis event -- the annual All-American Family Day Bash -- at JTCC in College Park, MD; and
With her husband, Air Force contract specialist Mckenze Childress.
With Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green at the ThanksUSA Treasure Our Troops Gala, where he was Master of Ceremonies;
Speaking at a ThanksUSA tennis event -- the annual All-American Family Day Bash -- at JTCC in College Park, MD; and
With her husband, Air Force contract specialist Mckenze Childress.
“I had definitely thought about networking before, but I wasn’t sure where to start,” explains Haley. Today, she preaches its significance. “It’s important to build a foundation of people that you know and make a good impression on them because they can take you places that you never expected.”
ThanksUSA’s Pathways for Patriots program recruits businesses in building a pipeline of scholarship winners who can help fill job openings – almost six million across the country. ThanksUSA scholars benefit in return from internships, apprenticeships, networking, mentoring and job placements.
Haley is just entering her career pathway and imagines joining the military someday. “It would be an honor to serve and know that I have really done something for my country and just look back at life and know I made a difference.”
But, says Haley, achieving that goal would mean acquiring a graduate degree. For her education is key not only in her life but in the lives of other military spouses and their children too. “I would just say to never underestimate the importance of where it can take you and to not let the process overwhelm you because it can be solvable,” says Haley. “Take it slow, but get it done. They’ll never regret getting that education, but they may some day regret not having done it.”
Haley Childress did it – for two. The memories of the friend she lost remain with her, “I think she is looking down to see where I’m at,” says Haley. “Even though she didn’t get her degree she left her legacy and she made an impact not only on my life but on those I might impact in the future.”
ThanksUSA’s Pathways for Patriots program recruits businesses in building a pipeline of scholarship winners who can help fill job openings – almost six million across the country. ThanksUSA scholars benefit in return from internships, apprenticeships, networking, mentoring and job placements.
Haley is just entering her career pathway and imagines joining the military someday. “It would be an honor to serve and know that I have really done something for my country and just look back at life and know I made a difference.”
But, says Haley, achieving that goal would mean acquiring a graduate degree. For her education is key not only in her life but in the lives of other military spouses and their children too. “I would just say to never underestimate the importance of where it can take you and to not let the process overwhelm you because it can be solvable,” says Haley. “Take it slow, but get it done. They’ll never regret getting that education, but they may some day regret not having done it.”
Haley Childress did it – for two. The memories of the friend she lost remain with her, “I think she is looking down to see where I’m at,” says Haley. “Even though she didn’t get her degree she left her legacy and she made an impact not only on my life but on those I might impact in the future.”
