Our Precious Freedoms: Paige Krumwiede

The Tara Preserve resident became the first Braden River High graduate (2014) to receive a diploma from the U.S. Naval Academy on May 24. She is 23. A former Sarasota Ski-A-Rees performer as a child, Krumwiede is now headed to flight school Sept. 13 at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola as an ensign. She was a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps member at Braden River High.

"At the Naval Academy, I was reminded of the price of our freedoms every day when I was walking through the cemetery or through the academy itself. At Bancroft Hall, which is the second largest dormitory in the world, there is the rotunda that you walk through every day, and in that is Memorial Hall, which has all the names of (2,600 Naval Academy graduates who died in military operations) on the walls. You look around every time you walk through. That's powerful, that these people would give up their lives for our freedoms. It's a good reminder that is what you signed up for. It's inspiring to be part of something that large."

"At the Naval Academy, it's always fascinating. A woman can grow to achieve a leadership role. Sometimes it's like the Naval Academy is a petting zoo with all the people from different countries taking photos. I'm probably on somebody's refrigerator. But you see all walks of life, people from Russia, China, Armenia. You stop and talk to them. I remember one person in particular from China. I said I was going to be a pilot. She said, 'Oh, you mean you're going to be a nurse.'  I got the same question from a guy from Russia. They were surprised because I wouldn't have that opportunity there. I want to fly an F-18. I want to be an admiral."

"You see places where you can't choose your leadership. We are empowered here. You should be an active voter. Your vote counts. You can play a part. You can be part of the decision of what rules we will have in place. I think JROTC for me was crucial in learning that. It taught you how to be a good citizen. It taught me the stories the people who we have lost fighting for our freedoms, such as being able to vote."

"When you think about our freedoms, you might take a trip to Arlington Cemetery. Just take a moment and walk around. Take it in. They were willing to give it all to protect our freedoms."

"I am nervous (in beginning her career in the Navy). But I trust in the training. Training at the academy throws you into situations where you learn leadership. But the training also teaches you to be a good follower. It teaches you how followers want to be treated. It makes you a better leader."

"Our class crest motto is 'Omnibus Ante Me,' or 'for those before me.' As a class we voted on that motto because it illustrates how we will never forget those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom, and those who lost their lives on 9/11. It's on our class rings, serving as a constant reminder that we are a part of a greater mission to protect the American way of life, a force built on tradition and passion to serve and defend."