Winning the lottery changed Asia Bravo’s life.
But it wasn’t easy.
The lottery she won was Open Choice. That’s the program that allows students from Bridgeport to attend Westport public schools, on a space-available basis.
She entered Long Lots Elementary in 1st grade, continued through Bedford Middle School, and graduated from Staples High in 2011.
“It was a rollercoaster,” Asia says. She had a caring social worker in Julie Horowitz, and a wonderful mentor in Heidi Hammer.
Asia Bravo, in the 2011 Staples yearbook.
But her home life was difficult. She tried to play basketball at Staples, but because of transportation issues, and the need to take care of 2 younger brothers, she could not pursue it.
After graduation Asia took classes at Housatonic Community College, then transferred to Southern Connecticut State University. She worked 3 jobs to afford tuition — while taking a full load of classes — so in January of 2016, after a year at Southern, she enlisted in the Army.
She did boot camp at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, was sent to Fort Gordon in Georgia, then spent more than 5 years in Germany. She worked as a human relations liaison, and with computers in IT.
“I learned how to push through. The Army instilled mental toughness,” Asia says.
“Good leaders helped me. And I figure a lot out on my own.”
Asia enjoyed Europe. She met good people, and traveled often.
In July 2021 she was reassigned to Fort Gordon, teaching trainees.
Asia Bravo, her Open Choice mentor Heidi Hammer and Heidi’s daughter Kate.
The next month, her father passed away. Four months later, an Army friend died by suicide.
A couple of years earlier, Asia had applied to Space Force. The newest branch of the military was created by President Trump, in recognition that space is a national security imperative.
Much of the work involves computers, which Asia enjoys and is good at. This past February, she was selected for Space Force. That’s not easy: It’s the nation’s smallest armed forces branch, with just 8,400 military personnel.
“I’m helping build the foundation for a new organization,” Asia says proudly She can’t provide details about her work, other than to say it’s in cyberspace and computer intelligence, helping defend space. She is stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
“Space Force is an amazing branch, and this is a great opportunity,” Asia says. “I’m really growing, professionally and personally.”
Asia Bravo with B. Chance Saltzman, Space Force director of space operations.
She has a message for Staples students: “Be ready to go after whatever you want in life. Don’t accept limitations. Don’t let anyone tell you ‘can’t.’
“I was told I couldn’t do things. I had a rough background. But I put a lot of hard work into my career. It all paid off. I am greater than I ever presumed I could be.
“I think my dad would be proud of me.”
