Senior class president on her way to becoming an Army nurse

The Rocklin High School's Thunder Class of 2019 members recently graduated and are headed toward their futures. Their Senior Class President Hannah Klang has a bright future ahead that includes serving the United States of America as an Army nurse. Klang grew up surrounded by military personnel. Her father served for 22 years in the Air Force flying the B-52G Strategic Bomber and the RF-4C Tactical Reconnaissance Fighter while her sister's husband is in the Navy and is currently serving on a Destroyer. Klang wants to follow in their footsteps and defend this country. Last January, Klang and her father took a private tour of Montana State University and they spoke to the Air Force ROTC about its nursing program. "The Army lieutenant colonel spent over an hour answering my questions. The next day, I had more questions and he spent another hour with us," Klang said, "He sold me on the Army. I want to serve my country. I am willing to fight for what I believe in. I want to be able to help our warriors who may become injured in battle fighting, defending our freedom and way of life." Klang enjoys challenge and finds it exciting, which made her lean toward a nursing career. She wants to help patients feel comfortable in hospitals, knowing that most people are uneasy when going to the hospital. She wants to help those in pain. While many students have trouble figuring out which college to go to, what they should major in and what they want their actual career to be, Klang has it all figured out. "In four years, I will graduate with a BSN (Bachelor of Science degree in nursing) from Montana State. On that same day, I will be commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army," Klang said. Her father, a retired Air Force officer, will be able to administer the oath of office for her commissioning. The National Army ROTC Scholarship is a scholarship that seniors in high school compete for throughout the country. Klang received this scholarship last year and will use it to help pay for college. Klang has an eventful next four years. While attending college, Klang will also do vigorous training for the Army. Many college students struggle with balancing school work and their social lives. Imagine having to balance school work, a social life and strenuous Army training. "My classes are going to be difficult and the Army training is going to be hard. Before entering my senior year, I will be attending the Army's Advanced Leadership training for 35 days. I will even learn to throw a live hand grenade," Klang said. "I never thought I would be doing that. That summer, I will also be attending a three-week course where I will shadow an Army 2nd Lieutenant nurse. I could be sent to Hawaii or Germany for this training." Although Klang is ready for the next stage in her life, she will miss her family and her Rocklin High friends. Rocklin High School had a big impact on her life. "I will miss some of my teachers, especially John Thompson, who runs the student government program, which I was a part of for four years." Klang said. "Mr. Thompson is a tremendous teacher who devotes a lot of his time after school. I learned a lot from him. I served as vice-president during my freshman, sophomore and junior years. I was honored to serve as class president for my senior year." Klang said Thompson taught her about leadership and how to work with different people, skills she used while senior class president and skills she will need while in the Army. In her graduation speech, Klang used a quote from General MacArthur, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in the Pacific during World War II. This quote was, "Duty, Honor, Country - those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be and what you will be." Klang learned this quote from her father and it has shaped how she sees life. It has given Klang the courage to pursue her dream and to keep pushing herself to be the best version of herself that she can be. "I interpret the general's message to be that we can control our destiny. We are Americans and we will not fail and cannot fail at important tasks that we undertake. I know nursing school is difficult. I know Army ROTC is going to be difficult, especially the physical training," Klang said. "But when things get difficult, I will remember the general's words and know I will become a nurse and an officer in the United States Army. Failure is not an option." The words Klang lives by are classic: that you control your own destiny and you determine the life you live. Jessica Mananquil is a Lincoln High School senior and interned this summer at Gold Country Media.