She survived the last EF5 tornado at age 8. 12 years later, she’s studying to be a meteorologist.

Twelve years ago, the last EF5 tornado to hit the United States tore through Moore, Oklahoma.

The violent storm carved a path of destruction through neighborhoods, killing 24 people and injuring dozens more.Aria Vargyas was just 8 years old when her school, Briarwood Elementary, collapsed around her. She was rescued and survived. But her two sisters, 4-year-old Karrina and 7-month-old Sydnee, died when the tornado flattened their house.

“After being told that I had lost my sisters, it was just a blur,” Aria said.

In the years that followed, Aria searched for ways to make sense of what happened — and to make sure other families wouldn’t face the same kind of loss.

Now 20, she is studying meteorology at Texas A&M University. She wants to predict the very storms that changed her family’s life.

“I don’t want a family to go through what I did, especially. I don’t want an 8-year-old sister to lose their siblings. I don’t want parents to lose their kids,” Aria said.

Although she can’t bring them back, their memories live on. A bench at Briarwood Elementary bears Karrina’s name. A locket around Aria’s neck holds a photo of the three sisters. She still has the letters she wrote to them after the storm as a way to cope with the pain

“I hate that you’re never coming back,” one reads. “And I hate that I have to realize that.”

Her father Phillip Vargyas is very proud of her. “It would have been easy for her to use this as an excuse for not moving forward,” He said. “She didn’t give up right after she lost her sisters, which should be easy to do.”

Aria Vargyas is guided by loss, but moving forward with purpose — toward a future where more families have time to get out.

Related Posts

Your Sleeping Position Reflects Your Level of Laziness

Your Sleeping Position Reflects Your Level of Laziness

Position 1 – Completely Drained You are not lazy! A hardworking, independent leader, you take on more than most and never back down. Your biggest flaw? You…

Beyond the Auctions: The Enduring Legacy

Beyond the Auctions: The Enduring Legacy

The Lasting Legacy of Storage Wars In reality TV’s ever-changing world, few shows captured hearts like Storage Wars. What began as people “bidding on abandoned storage units” became a global hit,…

This tricky fish puzzle is baffling int

This tricky fish puzzle is baffling int

1. Camouflage through Design: The hidden fish is drawn or embedded in a way that mimics the surrounding elements—such as the leopard’s spots, tree bark, or leaves….

Donald Trump Gets More

Donald Trump Gets More

Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy to violate rights that are gDonald Trump Gets More Bad…

The separation between a womans legs

The separation between a womans legs

1. Overview The article explores the symbolic idea that leg shape might hint at personality traits. It stresses that this is “not scientific,” but some people find the interpretations…

Difference Between Field Corn A

Difference Between Field Corn A

1. Not All Corn Is for Humans Driving past endless cornfields? That’s probably field corn, not the sweet corn you eat. “Field corn… is mostly for feeding livestock……