ANDERSON — Christina Heald has no problem fighting the odds. The 2005 Highland High School alumna sees her future as an environmental-rights lawyer.
“I always wanted to go to law school, and I thought environmental policy would be the prefect niche for me,” she said.
But that will be after her service as a Coast Guard reservist.
And after she finishes two years as a special-education teacher with the service organization Teach For America.
Heald graduated this year from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., with majors in environmental studies and political science and a minor in philosophy. She is preparing to begin her Teach For America tenure, during which she will instruct students in a poor school in San Jose, Calif. The nonprofit Teach For America places select graduates who commit to teach for two years in low-income urban and rural schools. Fewer than 1 in 5 who apply are accepted, according to the organization.
“The goal of Teach for America is to basically eradicate educational inequity among students,” she said. “This is something I feel strongly about, and with my background, this would be a perfect opportunity for me to show students they have as much potential as wealthier students.”
Part of that background includes her Coast Guard experience that provided some of the money to pay for school. Less than a month after graduation from Highland, she was in Coast Guard boot camp, and she’s been a reservist for four years.
“Women are a minority in the Coast Guard,” Heald said.
“I was one of seven out of a company of 164,” she said. “Being a female in the Coast Guard is challenge enough, but I was also the youngest,” when she entered Boot Camp just before her 18th birthday.
Heald serves at the Port of Tampa where she is a marine science technician 3rd class, responsible for inspecting entering vessels for safety and security. She drills two days a month and spends one week a year on active duty.
“With the Coast Guard I had to study the federal code and policy extensively, and have found out that my environmental studies major and Coast Guard obligation have crossed paths many times,” she said. “I feel like the things I learned in the Coast Guard will be very applicable to what I will be doing.”
Heald is the daughter of Carol Edwards-Heald and Matt Heald.
Three other Highland grads also have been accepted to Teach For America or are presently serving: Anna Finger, Jordan Hird and Allison Watkins.
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.staffor d@heraldbulletin.com
Local Education
Future-focused Highland grad balances teaching, Coast Guard
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Academic Accolades: May 27
A compilation of academic news as published in the Sunday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
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Well-behaved students rewarded with carnival
A “Can you survive the yuck?” game was one of many offered at the Student Appreciation Program held inside and on the outdoor grounds of AHS on Friday.
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Indiana Christian Academy students look ahead to summer
Tantalizing Florida vacations filled with sun, sand, sea and Disney shimmered like diamonds strewn across a distant shore for several kids awaiting pickup on the last day of classes at Indiana Christian Academy Thursday.
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AHS rewarding well-behaved students
Anderson High School is holding its Student Appreciation Program (SAP) Friday for students who meet or surpass several requirements.
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AHS will hold student appreciation day
Anderson High School is holding its Student Appreciation Program Friday for students who meet or surpass several requirements.
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Anderson High School choir to sing with Foreigner
When Julie Wood received an email from Hoosier Park Racing & Casino about an “exciting opportunity,” the Anderson High School director of choral activities thought it was a joke.
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Haffner becomes 44th winner of Red Haven Award
Pendleton Heights now has both the old and the new Red Haven Award trophy for its case at school.
When PH’s Ellie McCardwell won the award in 2010, the long-standing trophy was retired, and because the Arabians had the last winner, the school was able to permanently house that hardware.
On Tuesday, when the Anderson Noon Exchange Club presented the 2012 winner, it went to Pendleton Heights’ Abbie Haffner. So for the next 12 months, PH will be home to both the new traveling trophy, first presented a year ago to Lapel’s Leigh Steele, and the old one. -
Anderson Learning Academy withdraws charter application
When Anderson Learning Academy’s board first started seeking charter status, it was to help make changes in education as graduation rates and ISTEP scores were low in the public school system.
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Haffner, McFerran get Dickmann Awards
Alexandria-Monroe High School senior Michael McFerran and Pendleton Heights senior Abbie Haffner received the annual Dickmann Youth Community Service Awards on Tuesday during the Anderson Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon at Anderson Country Club.
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Historic Preservation Commission turns down school board
Arguments were made over historical significance, sentimental value, structural stability, safety and finances during a Historic Preservation Commission meeting Monday evening discussing whether to grant South Madison Community Schools board’s proposal to demolish the former middle school at 301 S. East St.
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Academic Accolades: May 27
