Baseball. Gym. Friends. Aviation. Military.

For senior Sam Zalak, those words represent the path he hopes will eventually lead him to serving his country – and building a future beyond it.

Now looking ahead to life after high school, Zalak’s plans have recently shifted. While he previously planned to go into the Marines to serve his country for a handful of years, he is now pursuing the Air Force with a focus on aviation mechanics.

“I think it’s just I wanted something that was like hands on, but I also wanted like discipline from the military,” Zalak said.

That decision is rooted in both personal interest and family influence. Zalak is no stranger to the military, since many family members have served. His mother and grandfather were in the Marines, and so was his uncle. Other family members were in the Army.

“It could happen at any moment [danger of death] if you’re deployed. Marines have the hardest basic training,” Zalak said.

Because of that intensity, the Marines initially appealed to Zalak’s desire for challenge and discipline. The Marines are a very intense branch of the military that consists of a brutal 13-week boot camp that will challenge his mental and physical strength.

“Yeah, the boot camp or basic training is the hardest and the longest of any military branch,” Zalak said.

However, as he began thinking more about his long-term goals, his focus started to shift. The Marines, once his primary plan, are now a secondary option if his Air Force path does not work out.

“It will create a good base for my life,” Zalak said.

The Air Force, in particular, aligns more directly with his career interests. Zalak is especially interested in aviation because it combines technical skill with long-term opportunity.

“If I’m going to do aviation, why would I not go to the Air Force?” Zalak said.

That interest in aviation is not just about his time in the military, but what comes after. Looking ahead, Zalak envisions a future that extends beyond military service. After serving four to six years, he hopes to work in the aviation field, possibly for an airline, and eventually open his own business.

“It’s taking something from its lowest point and turning it into something great,” Zalak said.

While Zalak is focused on his future, his family is equally invested in supporting him. For his mom, Julie Johnson, who also served in the Marines, Zalak’s decision is a source of tremendous pride.

“Serving in the military is a sacrifice – one that requires courage, commitment, and a willingness to do something many others are not willing to do,” Johnson said. “As his mom, of course I worry, but my pride far outweighs my fear. I’ve always known that Sam has the ability to succeed at whatever he chooses, and I would have supported him no matter what path he decided to take after high school. This is the path he chose on his own, and I’m proud to stand behind him.”

Johnson believes that military service will help shape the qualities Zalak already possesses. The Marine Corps will help strengthen his natural abilities by teaching discipline, resilience, teamwork, and confidence.

All of these abilities are vital for life and the workforce. Johnson hopes that Zalak will gain meaningful experiences, friendships that will last forever, and “a deep sense of pride in serving something greater than himself.”

Beyond training and service, Zalak is also drawn to the opportunities the military provides to experience the world. Zalak would love to be stationed in Japan because it has a different culture and architecture. He would also like to try the different food there.

Long before his military aspirations, however, Zalak’s character was shaped by his experiences growing up. Zalak’s experiences in sports shaped him into who he is now: growing up playing soccer, flag football, hockey, basketball and baseball.

“I always grew up watching baseball with my parents. We were a big baseball family,” Zalak said.

He was on varsity last year and plans to play again this year for West Chicago Community High School.

“I wish I didn’t take it as seriously in the way that I let it ruin my whole day if I played badly,” Zalak said. “I just wish I had more fun with it because this is my last year and it’s coming to an end. And also, just that and everything in life, you know, just moving one step at a time and a quarter mile at a time, just living.”

Those lessons have carried over into other areas of his life, including his work ethic. Growing up, Zalak was curious, determined, a leader, kind and someone with a strong work ethic, according to Johnson. Those thoughts were reiterated by Zalak’s peers.

“A detail a lot of people don’t know about Sam is that he is a very hard worker,” senior and good friend Dylan Mason said. “He’s constantly balancing multiple jobs, sports, school and a social life. Sometimes it amazes me how he does it.”

According to Mason, Zalak will be a perfect fit for the military.

“He’s a powerful leader coming from someone who’s not only one of his closest friends but someone who’s also worked with him, and leadership comes to him naturally,” Mason said.

Mason also describes Zalak as a very energetic person who will find a way to connect with anyone he talks to.

That leadership and energy carry over into Zalak’s daily life, where he balances multiple responsibilities. Zalak works year-round at St. Andrew Golf Course in West Chicago, and Sonny Acres in Carol Stream, and also works at a Toyota dealership in Elgin, cleaning cars and fixing them up.

“I’ve learned that there’s no one really going to be there in certain situations, so it’s just you versus you. And if you can’t depend on yourself to be independent, then you’re not doing it right,” Zalak said.