Alex and Emily Rendon took a rowdy AP English Language class with English and journalism teacher Valerie Kibler in their junior year of high school. Since the class was wildly talkative, Kibler moved students around all the time to quiet down the room. Little known to Kibler, sitting Alex and Emily Rendon together sparked a relationship that lead to marriage and a strong friendship.

Their relationship continued to develop after leaving the English class as they pursued their majors in college. Alex Rendon followed Emily Rendon to Virginia Commonwealth University, where they went for their undergraduate degrees. From high school through college to their post-graduate degrees, the couple has been taking life one step at a time and encourages current and future HHS students to do the same.

“Enjoy it. College is great, and you’re going to like it, but enjoy high school as well… just take it step-by-step and trust that you will get into the right program or career path,” Emily Rendon said.

Kibler also influenced Alex and Emily Rendon to pursue media related careers. It was when Kibler had Alex Rendon start writing editorials that he found his love in writing, and he went on to become an English major. With Emily Rendon, it was taking a class with the broadcasting teacher at the time, Seth Stratford, that piqued her interest in cinematography.

“I’m very interested in video and I had the chance through his class to practice,” Emily Rendon said.

Along with her interest in cinematography, Emily also enjoys web design and wants to take her skills to work with activism in some way. In fact, she participated in the Women’s March on D.C. in 2017, saying that, “It was one of the most supportive and inclusive environments I’ve ever been in.” Taking her passion for activism and media, she hopes to help women and people in need.

“I’d really like to work in a non-profit and help [the organization] with their communication, either their website or flyers,” Emily Rendon said.

Also interested in a media-based career, Alex Rendon wants to pursue writing, but he is now working at his father’s store while Emily Rendon finishes her master’s degree at James Madison University. In his life, Alex Rendon likes to keep a level head, maintaining balance throughout everything, which contributes to his ability to take his life one step at a time.

“I like to stay steady… so now I’m trying to become more a middle-ground person,” Alex Rendon said.

Passionate about literature, he delves into his reading, especially in biographies about Abraham Lincoln, who, coincidentally, shares a birthday with his wife. Lincoln has been a shared experience for the couple, with Emily Rendon actually getting to work on the film “Lincoln” and Alex Rendon sharing a birthday with the day the movie came out.

In their lives, the Rendons value living life step-by-step and hope to continue studying their interests, waiting to see where their lives take them career and family-wise.