The Andrews Family: Defined by Service and Discipline
By Samantha DePriest
Pictured left to right, Evangeline, Steve, Nick, William, Emma Grace Andrews, and Paz Matias.
Image by Evangeline Andrews
Class of 2023 Alumni Nick Andrews and younger sister Emma Grace Andrews, Class of 2027, don’t recall a time during their childhoods when their family wasn’t serving others. The Andrews family’s military legacy runs deep. Their father, Steve, served in the Navy, and their mother, Evangeline, in the Army. Both now serve as adult volunteers in the Sea Cadet program and together help oversee monthly drills, ensuring cadets are both challenged and safe. Steve often reminds his children, “You do everything for the glory of God.” For Nick and Emma Grace Andrews, that’s exactly what they are doing as they lead with integrity and serve with compassion.
Emma Grace Andrews pictured right at Sea Cadet training.
Image by Evangeline Andrews
Emma Grace Andrews: A growing Leader Anchored in Service
From the moment Emma Grace Andrews walked into Trinity Christian School as a first grader, it was clear she was destined to lead. Her journey, marked by courage, discipline, and a heart for service, began when she was just nine years old. Her father, Steve, introduced her to Megan Levy, sparking what would soon become Emma’s lifelong passion - the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. By eighth grade, Emma discovered Sea Cadets and eagerly attended her first drill. That single step launched a remarkable adventure of leadership, growth, and perseverance.
At just 13, Emma traveled halfway across the country to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for her first recruit training — a grueling 14-day experience that tested her mental and physical endurance. She completed obstacle courses, rappelled from a 45-foot tower, and faced challenges few her age could imagine. “They push you to your limits both mentally and physically,” Emma recalled. “But it shows you what you’re capable of.”
Emma Grace Andrews pictured far left.
Image by Evangeline Andrews
She remembered how her father, Steve, wrote to her every day during training, sending words of encouragement that carried her through. Over the years, she’s built lasting friendships with fellow Sea Cadets from across the country and gained mentors who shaped her journey.
Since joining, Emma has quickly advanced through the ranks from Seaman Recruit in 2022 to Chief Petty Officer in 2025, one of the youngest to do so in under three years. Along the way, she’s attended leadership academies, medical training, and multiple advanced programs around the country.
Emma Grace Andrews pictured far right.
Image by Evangeline Andrews
In 2023, she attended Master-at-Arms training in Arkansas, where she earned certifications in marksmanship, CPR/AED, and riot control. The next summer, she completed Petty Officer Leadership Academy at Camp Blanding in Florida, focusing on becoming a “leader of character” and learning how to encourage others. As Emma climbed the ranks, she embraced the Sea Cadets’ four pillars: Honor, Respect, Commitment, and Service. She believes true leadership begins with humility. “To be a leader, it’s best to be a servant leader,” she shares. “It’s best to serve others before yourself. Leaders go last.”
That mindset shows in her service. She’s taught drug reduction classes alongside the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, earning a ribbon for her work. She’s volunteered with Wreaths Across America, led color guards, visited nursing homes to sing Christmas carols, and helped send care packages to deployed Marines and sailors.
Emma Grace Andrews pinned as Chief Petty Officer at the Navy’s 250th Ball.
Image by Evangeline Andrews
In 2024, Emma traveled to Parris Island, South Carolina, for Marine Corps Recruit Training — a five-day challenge led by Marine Drill Sergeants. Later that summer, she served as a Staff Cadet back in Arkansas, teaching riot control to her fellow cadets. In 2025, she achieved one of her proudest moments: performing a backflip off the USS New York — a ship forged from two tons of steel recovered from the Twin Towers — as it sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, to Florida. That same year, she was pinned as Chief Petty Officer at the Navy’s 250th Ball.
Her leadership doesn’t stop there. Emma now interns with the Senoia Police Department, gaining hands-on experience in community policing, firearm safety, and 911 operations. She plans to continue serving her community through Coweta County’s upcoming Police Explorers Program. Emma’s dedication has earned her a JROTC scholarship and a potential Georgia Military Scholarship to attend the University of North Georgia (UNG), where she plans to serve in the National Guard while earning her degree. Her ultimate goal? To lead and serve — both in the military and her community.
Her influence has already inspired others including her big brother Nick, who took a break from his studies at Georgia Tech to join the Army and graduated this past week as a distinguished honor graduate.
Nick Andrews: Finding Purpose in Service
Nick Andrews pictured center
Image by Evangeline Andrews
Halfway through his first year at Georgia Tech, business major and Class of 2023 Alumni Nick Andrews decided to take a closer look at the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) as a way to serve through the Army National Guard, commonly known as the “weekend warriors.” Members drill one weekend each month and serve two weeks over the summer, supporting both state and national missions such as hurricane relief and flood response.
Nick, who had served as a freshman leader for the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at Georgia Tech, joined ROTC during his freshman year. However, he was initially disqualified because of asthma. Not long after, the National Guard unit from Newnan, Georgia called and offered him a place in the Army National Guard, opening the door to a new chapter of service for him.
An avid runner and member of the Georgia Tech Ultimate Frisbee team, Nick officially joined the military in July 2024, right before his sophomore year in college. He shipped off to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on May 6th, 2025 and graduated from basic training ten weeks later on July 17, 2025. Basic training brought together recruits from the Army, Reserves, and National Guard who all were learning the same core skills of discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
Without his phone for the first 72 hours, Nick found peace through his faith. He attended a Mother’s Day chaplain service, where he played worship music and helped lead songs like “Firm Foundation” and “Break Every Chain.” Each night, he spent time reading the Bible and reflecting on each passage. “Basic training encouraged me to find my why,” he said.
After graduating from basic, Nick moved on to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he learned to maintain and repair Blackhawk helicopters as part of the Army Aviation Combat Support team. With better food, only one roommate, and limited phone access, AIT , Nick thrived. He graduated as the Distinguished Honor Graduate, top of his class this past Thursday, November 6th 2025.
Nick now serves with Bravo Company, 1169th, Detachment 1 in Georgia where he will work one weekend a month in a helicopter hangar and serve two weeks each summer. His commitment to the Guard runs or 6 years through 2032. While he is planning on finishing out his college degree at Georgia Tech, he is also considering earning his Aviation Maintenance Professional (AMP) license to expand his skills to fixed-wing aircraft.
As an Eagle Scout, Nick entered the Army as an E3, already demonstrating the leadership and commitment that define his service. He says he trusts wherever God leads next: “Whatever God has in store for me, I trust in Him.” Reflecting on his experience over the last six months at training, Nick says, “What I am doing today matters. Everything we do has an impact. I’m out there to protect the person next to me.” His time in training also taught him attention to detail and the importance of coming home stronger: “If I’m going to spend six months away from family, I better come back even better than when I left.”
Throughout his journey, Nick’s faith and family have been his foundation. His parents wrote him letters every week during his training, and one special note from his little sister Emma Grace including the lyrics to “Gratitude” became a “God moment” that reminded him of his purpose and calling.
For students interested in following a similar path, Nick encourages exploring JROTC or ROTC programs. “It’s a pathway to the military that’s fun and full of purpose,” he says. To learn more about the National Guard or to connect with Nick directly, reach out to him at nma11xc@gmail.com.