Sedona Red Rock HS’s Ashley Calogero Soars to Embry-Riddle

On May 19, Sedona Red Rock High School celebrated its annual scholarship night. Among the standout graduates was Ashley Calogero, a resident of Cottonwood, who had already secured significant financial aid for her college journey. Her notable awards include an $80,000 Yellow Ribbon Program scholarship from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a $24,000 Presidential Scholarship, and a $5,000 Women of Excellence Scholarship.

Calogero plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott this fall to study global security and intelligence studies, aiming to become an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program.

“My older half-brother is currently in the Army, aiming to be an officer,” said Calogero. “Hearing my mom’s stories about her time at the Air Force Academy and my dad’s experiences as a Marine pilot fueled my passion for serving the nation.” Her mother served as a flight surgeon in the USAF for 24 years, and her father was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps for 20 years.

Her interest lies specifically in counterterrorism. “I want to work in intelligence because I enjoy tackling challenges,” Calogero explained. “It’s like solving a puzzle where you gather information from various sources worldwide. That excites me and aligns perfectly with my career aspirations.”

Looking toward the future, Calogero expressed her desire to transition to agencies like the CIA or FBI after her military service. This year marked her first at SRRHS, following a family move from Destin, Florida, to be closer to relatives in Washington. Her younger sister, Emily, is a freshman at the same school.

Besides her academic endeavors, Calogero is an active member of the Interact Club, student council, and National Honor Society, as well as a participant in the Scorpions tennis team. She earned the title of Athlete of the Month during a school board meeting on May 13 and was later recognized with the team’s Sportsmanship Award at the Spring Sports Awards Banquet.

Head Coach Andrew Ellis praised her dedication, stating, “Ashley consistently led by example and maintained a great attitude during practices and matches.” Calogero excelled in tennis, finishing the season with a 7-2 record in singles and a 4-5 record in doubles with her sister. Additionally, she holds a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do and has been training for 11 years.

“I’m proud of my performance and valued the team dynamic immensely,” she remarked, reflecting on her experience. “We bonded well, especially during away games. The competition pushes me to give my all, and I find tennis more relaxed compared to tae kwon do tournaments.”

In her free time, Calogero engages in schoolwork and enjoys reading classics like Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” She also dabbles in drawing anime, with her favorite series being “Haikyu,” which holds sentimental value as it was introduced to her by her cousin.

Recently, Calogero and her mother visited the university’s dorms. With graduation looming on May 21, she expressed excitement for the next chapter in her life.