The Path of a Dragon: Accounting Graduate Represents Dragons at D.C. Veterans Conference

Crystal Teetz’s road to Washington, D.C. began on the Minnesota State Moorhead campus, where she stood out from the traditional student body. At 50 years old, she proudly claimed the title of "Old L" or "Old Lady" of her student cohort, balancing her lived experiences with the rigorous demands of an accounting major. It wasn’t just her age or sharp eye for balance sheets that set her apart; it was her relentless devotion to the campus’s military-connected community. 

BS in Accounting

During her final two years at Moorhead, Crystal poured her energy into the Dragon Student Veterans Club, a proud Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter. When she first stepped into the club’s leadership circle as treasurer, she found an organization rich in camaraderie but deeply in need of structural organization. 

"When I started two years ago, there was nothing," Crystal recalled, her inner accountant on display. "There were no Excel records to show what was incoming or outgoing. I built that." 

For Crystal, long hours setting up internal financial templates, tracking budgets, and managing the books became her mission. She wanted to ensure that when local military-connected students walked into the Veteran Success Center, they encountered an environment that supported them fully. She spearheaded efforts to maintain a welcoming space stocked with snacks and cold sodas, giving stressed student veterans a vital place to take a breath. 

"College is crazy," Crystal said knowingly. "We love it, we signed up for it, but for many students, it's the first time they're away from home. If a veteran can sit down in that office and know this space is for them, I've done my job." 

Her instrumental work did not go unnoticed. Recognized for her leadership and passion in tackling the distinct social and structural challenges facing student veterans, Crystal was chosen to represent Minnesota State Moorhead at a national SVA Leadership and Legacy summit in Washington, D.C. 

The three-day trip was a fast-paced immersion in high-level networking and national security history. Alongside 20 student veteran leaders selected from across the country, Crystal toured the secure corridors of the State Department, an exclusive opportunity made possible through veteran network connections. They talked club logistics over lunch at the historic Army and Navy Club and exchanged ideas for engaging student veterans on college campuses. 

The true highlight of the summit was the opportunity to look forward and give back. Crystal shared ideas with current SVA national CEO, Cory Boatwright, connected with an author, and met a Medal of Honor recipient. Yet, even surrounded by national figures, Crystal remained focused on the future of the local Dragon community. In every breakout session, she sought answers to a singular question: How do we build a lasting legacy that guarantees the next generation of veterans will thrive? 

"The summit was really an exchange of ideas," Crystal explained. "How do we get more people to buy into what we are trying to do? How do we encourage student veterans to step into the gate and join the club?” 

On her final day in the capital, Crystal paid her respects at Arlington National Cemetery. Braving a steep, challenging incline that she jokingly called a "12,000-grade hike," Crystal made her way up to Arlington House, the historic mansion overlooking the Potomac. She also visited the Military Women’s Memorial, a dedication to the women of the armed services. 

Standing before the memorial, Crystal felt a deep connection to her own past as a Marine and her present as an advocate. The quiet rows of white headstones served as a stark reminder of why she chose to spend her civilian life giving back to the military community. 

"The freedom we have is paid for," Crystal reflected quietly. "It's given. So why would I not think about giving back? It's the heart and the passion of the matter." 

Returning to Moorhead, she faced the bittersweet reality of transition. Having just graduated with an accounting degree and spent two years breathing life into the Dragon Student Veterans Club, it was time to hand the ledger over to a new group of leaders. 

True to her nature, her chief concern wasn't her own next steps, but whether she had built a strong enough foundation for those who follow. 

"Did I build that legacy well enough for it to continue?" Crystal pondered. "Did I give enough to the incoming president and the new treasurer so they can look at the records and say, 'Okay, I see what she was doing'?" 

Though her time as an active student has concluded, Crystal’s presence within the local veteran community remains resolute. Even as she prepares to launch her professional career in accounting, she is already volunteering with the local American Legion, managing ticket gates, and helping with regional military-connected events. 

For Crystal Teetz, the degree from Minnesota State Moorhead is a proud milestone, but the true measurement of her success is in the open doors, clear records, and lasting pathways she carved out for her fellow Dragons.