Andrews - The last 10 years have been a rocky road for Andrews High School senior Karlie Curtis.
Her father, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era, was diagnosed with cancer when Karlie was about 8 years old and passed away two years later. Too young to understand the complexities of life, Karlie initially blamed God for the loss of her father. She also blamed herself for “not spending as much time with him” before his death.
However, with the help of family and friends throughout the community, Karlie overcame the anguish that accompanied her father’s death. She accepted the loss and forged ahead to excel in sports, academics and charity.
At the start of her senior year, she worried about the next stage of her life as she contemplated what college to attend. When state officials shut down schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Karlie worried that she may not play a full season of softball to close out her high school journey.
That worry disappeared when she received a letter last month stating that her college expenses would be paid in full, courtesy of the U.S. government.
“For her dad to serve our country, and for her to benefit from it now, this is an absolute blessing,” said Karlie’s mother, Erica Curtis. “This is the greatest country in the world.”
Agent Orange exposure
Wayne Woody Curtis passed away at age 63 in May 2013 after doctors diagnosed him with lung cancer about two years prior. Doctors linked the disease to Agent Orange exposure, which has been proven to cause numerous health issues.
During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military dispersed highly toxic herbicides over southeast Asian countries to strip the jungle canopy that concealed opposition forces, destroy crops that those forces depended on, plus clear tall grasses and bushes from the perimeters of U.S. base camps and outlying artillery support bases. Although colorless, the herbicide compound became known as Agent Orange because of the orange-colored band that was painted on the drums used to store and transport the chemical.
Researchers estimate that more than a half-million living Americans suffer from health issues caused by exposure to Agent Orange, some of whom live in Cherokee County.
“The two and a half years after his diagnosis was the hardest time of our lives,” Erica said, adding that it was difficult to remain hopeful during that period. “He was always the positive one. He would tell us, ‘We gotta play the hand that we’re dealt.’ He kept us lifted up more than we lifted him.”
While Karlie hails from an athletic family and had always been around sports, she became increasingly more interested in softball after her father was diagnosed with cancer. She also plays basketball to stay in shape for softball season.
“Some days are worse than others when thinking about dad, so going to the field and hitting is a stress reliever,” Karlie said. “It clears my head.”
When doctors diagnosed Woody with cancer, they gave him six months to live. He ended up living another two and half years, and his family tried to make the most of every moment.
“One of the biggest lessons [he passed along] is to always stay true to yourself,” Karlie said. “Don’t think you have to be someone you’re not to impress other people. He also taught me about leadership and to have faith in God.”
Lessons learned
Karlie remembered those lessons during the years after her father died and gave her life to God at age 14. A few years later, while a junior in high school, she recognized that some families of fellow students struggled financially. As a result, she started a community closet that provides youth with clothes and other essentials they might not be able to afford.
“What we go through in life makes us the people we are now,” Karlie said. “I’m thankful to have been put in that situation because now I can help others. I don’t take life for granted.”
When she graduates high school later this year, Karlie will have earned two associate’s degrees from Tri-County Community College, meaning she will not have to take any prerequisite courses as a freshman in college next year. Karlie plans to attend Southwestern Community College in Sylva, where she will major in radiology.
Since her father died with a 100 percent service-connected illness, the federal government is paying for the full tuition – plus room and board if she had chosen to attend a school that required her to live on campus.
“I like to help people,” Karlie said when asked why she chose the medical field as a career. “If I can’t help people, I feel worthless.”
While it’s unclear whether she will be able to play another softball game as a high school student, Karlie may take the field as a coach later in life after completing college. She also hopes to remain in touch with the community that helped her through the darkest days of her life.
“They say the friends you make in college are the friends you have in life, but there’s some friendships I have right now that I hope I keep forever,” she said. “The thing about Andrews is that everybody is there for each other; it’s like one big family.”
When asked if she had any advice for future graduates, Karlie replied, “Don’t think that you’re better than everyone else. Life will hit you pretty hard if you do that. Be humble.”