By Maurissa Munoz
Freshman Britney Ann Wood traveled a long way to get to Eastern New Mexico University. Wood was born in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, and spent the first five years of her life in the Philippines.
Wood’s adoptive father met her mother in the Philippines while he was working in Guam. When the two married, Wood’s family moved to Guam for three years. Tagalog was her first language, and Wood learned to speak English in Guam.
After living in Guam, the Wood family moved to the United States when her father’s job relocated. Wood lived in Billings, Mo., for the next eight years. At the end of her sophomore year, Wood moved to Roswell, N.M., to live with her aunt and uncle.
Wood said this change benefited her, and she found many new opportunities in New Mexico. The change in climate also benefited Wood.
“It is a lot warmer here, and I don’t like the cold,” she said.
Wood appreciates her Asian descent and loves to cook Asian cuisine for her boyfriend, family, and friends.
At ENMU, Wood is preparing to be an X-ray technician. Because ENMU does not offer an X-ray tech program, Wood is obtaining the prerequisites she will need when she transfers to another university.
After her time at ENMU, Wood plans to marry her boyfriend and complete her studies in Lubbock, Texas.
Wood said she is happy she attends ENMU.
“My boyfriend and I get to go to school together, and there are great teachers at ENMU,” she said.
On campus, Wood spends her extra time studying and exercising. She plays indoor soccer and volleyball to stay in shape. Wood is a strong advocate of exercising. She thinks keeping her body healthy in every way is important.
“The body is God’s temple, so we should take care of it,” she said.