For most students, starting at a new school is intimidating. For Audrey Ortiz-Peterson, a senior at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, it has been a way of life.
As a military-connected student who has attended eight schools across the country and around the world, Audrey has learned how to adapt quickly, build connections and find opportunity in the unknown. That mindset helped her hit the ground running when she arrived at Mount Vernon High School, and it’s carried her to some remarkable achievements.
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Audrey Ortiz-Peterson attended eight schools growing up as a military child.
- More details: She became a student leader, athlete and president of her school’s Purple Team, and has earned congressional nominations to multiple U.S. service academies.
- Keep an eye on her story: Audrey has already received an appointment to West Point and a Naval ROTC scholarship. Her story highlights resilience, discipline and a deep commitment to service.
Turning change into opportunity
Moving frequently isn’t easy, but Audrey has learned to embrace it. Instead of focusing on what she leaves behind, she chooses to see each new place as an opportunity to grow.
That positive mindset helped her transition into a new school community, where she quickly got involved in activities, joined clubs and built a support system. For Audrey, the key has always been staying open to new experiences and trusting that each move brings something valuable.
Leading the military-connected community
One of the most meaningful parts of Audrey’s high school experience has been her involvement in the Purple Team, a student organization that supports military-connected students.
Starting as a member and eventually becoming president, she helped create a welcoming environment for students facing similar challenges. Through events, outreach and leadership, Audrey worked to strengthen the sense of community and make sure others felt seen and supported.
Finding strength through athletics
Audrey didn’t begin running until her sophomore year but it quickly became a defining part of her high school experience.
As a three-sport varsity captain in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, she found both challenge and connection. Running taught her resilience, discipline and how to push through difficult moments, which are lessons that extend far beyond the track.
A clear path to service
While many seniors are still deciding what comes next, Audrey has long known her goal: to serve her country.
Inspired by her experience as a military child and her stepfather’s service, she set her sights on attending a service academy early on. That decision led to months of hard work, completing applications, securing recommendations, improving test scores and preparing for interviews all while balancing school and extracurriculars.
Her perseverance paid off. Audrey earned congressional nominations to multiple service academies, received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and secured a Naval ROTC scholarship.
What “service” really means
For Audrey, service goes far beyond a career path. It’s about making sacrifices, leading with integrity, and choosing the often harder right over the easier wrong.
As she weighs her options between academies and ROTC, her decision comes down to one core question: how she can best lead and serve others.
Growing up in a military family has shaped Audrey into a resilient, adaptable and driven leader. She credits her experiences with teaching her to stay positive, be open-minded and lean on her support system, no matter where she is.
It’s a perspective she hopes to pass on to other military kids who may be facing yet another new beginning. For students preparing to walk into a new school, Audrey’s advice is simple: stay positive, be yourself and embrace the experience.
While change can be intimidating, it also creates opportunities to discover new passions, build new friendships and grow in ways you never expected.
Audrey Ortiz-Peterson: Looking ahead
When Audrey looks back on her high school years, she hopes her story reflects the power of hard work, determination and belief in yourself.
Through every move, challenge and late night, she’s proven that even the most ambitious goals are within reach as long as you’re willing to put in the effort.
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