A large portion of the Kalāheo campus is composed of students with one or both parents in the military. While some of us can't relate to the experiences of those in a military family, there is a Kalāheo alumnus and former law enforcement, Debi Atkins who practically lived many lives during her years as a “military brat”.
While the transition from school to school may be hard for those within a military family, Atkins, from class of 1976 at Kalāheo found the bright side of having a father in the Air Force. “I was given so many opportunities to travel, to meet people from all over the US (luckily for me all across the southern US since I hate cold weather!) I also lived in Okinawa, The Philippines, and visited South Korea and Japan. Add to that the chance to live in Hawaii during my high school years. What could I possibly have to complain about?” said Atkins.
An interesting part of Atkins's story is not only the amount of places she traveled to and schools she attended, but also what happened with her graduation plan at Kalāheo. And in turn, what would be the harsh decision to graduate early without her class.
“I was actually in a class of ’77, but in December of what was my junior year there was talk of my dad being transferred to South Korea and I decided that 14 school transfers had been plenty so I accelerated and graduated a year early.” Still, Atkins was able to find the beauty and positivity of it all. It was through the constant travel that Atkins came to appreciate the bonds formed throughout her experiences across the globe. A unique experience that while very difficult at times, can bring strength that may be hard to come by any way else.
“Seeing and meeting people across the world, learning about so many cultures firsthand, and learning to adapt to what life throws at you…that I wouldn’t have had without being a military brat.”
Originally from Texas with a fifth-generation family line of Texans, knew she was going to attend college back in the Lone Star State. Like many high school students, Atkins admitted that despite knowing sheʻd go back to Texas, she did not know what she wanted to study or pursue after graduation. “I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduating other than knowing I’d go to the University of Texas. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I graduated from college either! I had a job for about 18 months, hated it, and quit.”
Atkins did eventually make a living in law enforcement “I went into law enforcement and was a police officer for 15 years, a job I loved. I worked in patrol and was an investigator for a while.”
After retiring from law enforcement to focus on her family, Atkins later pursued a life in cybersecurity. “I got out of law enforcement when my daughter was in kindergarten so I could have a more stable family life. I went into the cybersecurity field and worked there for 24 years before retiring in late 2019.”
And like the close friendships Atkins was able to gain through being a military kid, she attested to a unique instance of friendship that was formed years later. “When I was in Okinawa I was in 9th grade and, along with all US military and DOD kids my age, and was bussed to the far side of the island to a 9th grade campus. I attended Kalaheo in 10th and 11th grade. It wasn’t until years later that another Kalaheo alum and Kailua boy, Steve Eulitt, and I discovered that we had both been in Okinawa and attended K9 together…even rode the same school bus…and then were at Kalaheo together. We didn’t run in the same crowd at either school, but we are great friends now,” Atkins said.
An important life lesson that Atkins shared with students is the countdown of the problems that we face. Nothing lasts forever so just live life to the fullest! “More importantly, this is something I learned more during my years in police work…the vast majority of problems are temporary so do not make permanent solutions to temporary problems. Let things go. Don’t hold grudges. Forgive those who hurt you because to do otherwise only hurts you. Laugh often, treasure time with family and friends because they won’t always be there. And TRAVEL! See and experience everything. I am continuing my quest to see more and experience more. My retirement gift to myself was an F-250 and a travel trailer. I am a member of many camping groups and I travel the country as much as I can, meeting up with friends, going to events with different groups of people, and sometimes taking off for a month or two on my own.
Lastly, Atkins shared her outlook on life that she plans to continue to live out.
“I look at things through rose-colored glasses most of the time and can honestly say that in all the states I’ve visited (all but six) and all the countries I’ve visited or lived in, I found something to love about every place I’ve been.”