Jeff was a founding member of the program at Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Arizona. He participated in the program for 6 years and continued to interview veterans while in college, completing 11 interviews. Professionally, Jeff volunteers for international medical mission trips, and has cared for COVID-19 patients in intensive care units and operating rooms since the beginning of the pandemic. "I can now look back 15 years later and say that the club was the seminal experience in my early young adult development. Entering high school as a significantly introverted teenager with little in the way of social or leadership skills, I found myself growing on a daily basis. As a founding student of a project without a clear roadmap or checklist aside from Mrs. Hatch’s vision, every member of the crew by definition had leadership roles thrust upon them from the very beginning. There’s not enough space here for me to fully detail the myriad skills and habits that I developed during these years. To highlight perhaps the most important- the very act of sitting with a veteran for an intimate interview and later, weaving their story into words, gave me the precious gift of perspective- the ability to glimpse someone else’s life, emotions, beliefs, experiences, and viewpoints, and integrate that into one’s own developing worldview and values, absorbing a deep, nuanced, but ultimate richer understanding of history, of conflict, and of patriotism along the way."

Originally from Argentina, Barbara Sofia Ripa immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands in 2009. Fluent in four languages and with a mature world view, she struggled to find her place in the local high school environment, until meeting Barbara Hatch and joining the Chapter at Cactus Shadows High School. During three years of high school and one year of college, Sofia interviewed six veterans. Sofia earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Arizona State University, and will complete her Master of Science: Intelligence Analysis from Johns Hopkins University in 2023. Inspired by her veterans who helped her to "understand what it means to be an American," Sofia became a naturalized citizenship in 2016, and commissioned into the Marine Corp in 2017, where she currently serves as a Logistics Officer for Combat Logistics Regiment 27, Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejenue in North Carolina. By applying discipline and grit learned from her veterans, 1st Lt. Ripa transformed a dysfunctional platoon into a cohesive unit that made history when it executed the first ever Marine Corps cross-country convoy. Sofia attributes the skills of listening and asking the right questions to her experiences with the program. These skills prepared Sofia to help care for fellow Marines who were involved in the pull out in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Justin Yeck interviewed nine veterans while in high school. "When reflecting on my time in VHP there are a number of abilities and skills developed, among those are the ability to write professionally and creatively, gain a familiarity with managing long-term projects, and the skill of organization. The greatest strength, however, that the program taught me was the ability to connect with individuals. The ability to connect has been the most advantageous asset learned and serving me in all facets of life, whether in the classroom, in the office, or on the street." Justin went to Texas Tech, completing four years of Air Force ROTC with the goal of being a pilot. He earned a scholarship for flight training, and was selected as Cadet Wing Commander his senior year. Two months from graduation, his dream came to an abrupt halt due to a medical disqualification. The words of World War II veteran, Howard McDonald, "I did what I could do with what they gave me," helped Justin "blaze my own trail in a new environment." Justin joined Goosehead Insurance, where his ability to connect with individuals and lead and mentor others has allowed him to thrive. Over the past five years, he has received three promotions. "I find thrill with every new opportunity and challenge, thanks to a few simple guiding words."

Mark McCullough participated from 2005 to 2008. He interviewed six veterans and, as lead student editor, was instrumental in the design and publication of three volumes of Since You Asked. In his words, his veterans helped him grow from a boy to a young man, teaching him about determination, integrity, and selflessness. Inspired by his experience in VHP and the words of the late Major General (Ret.) Carl Schneider to “seize opportunities,” Mark earned a Master’s in Teaching and has taught history for 12 years, bringing veterans into his classroom to share the stories, morals, and lessons that were once impressed upon him. Mark still teaches U.S. History to 8th Graders but has transitioned more into educational administration and leadership, and now serves as the Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing at St. Luke’s Episcopal School in San Antonio, TX. Mark and his wife Sarita, and daughter Tatum, live in the Hill Country of San Antonio and enjoy cooking, reading, and participating in community service at San Antonio Animal Welfare and the Salvation Army Food Bank.

Karissa Wenzel’s veterans made a powerful imprint on her character, inspiring her to live a life of honor. She attended Boulder Creek High School in Anthem for her junior and senior year, and immediately engaged with the program by interviewing three veterans. She supported editing and book layout, and served as her chapter’s historian. Karissa received our 2019 Above and Beyond scholarship, and went to Grand Canyon University, graduating magna cum laude in 2023 from the Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration. She currently works at HonorHealth Cancer Care, and volunteers through her church as a coach for special needs children.

Karissa’s veterans taught her dedication, strength, gratitude, reliance, adaptability, teamwork, empathy and most of all, integrity. “Integrity is the base of what empowers us to live out a greater purpose than ourselves. Integrity is more than just doing what is right, it is fighting to do the right thing with the right intentions, even when no one is watching. Being surrounded by veterans with this mentality was inspiring. The legacy these veterans leave is endless.”