At just 26, Courtney Kobal's career path has already taken several twists and turns. The Roland Park resident has been a high school soccer star at Eastern Technical High School in Essex, a combat medic and an executive chef at Mount Vernon's Hotel Indigo.

Now a full-time engineering student at Notre Dame of Maryland University, Kobal works as a personal soccer coach as well as a human resources support specialist.

“In the process of these various paths, I've always [presented] myself as an individual, including my sexuality. When I came out [at 16], I remember wearing my first pair of men's jeans to school and really defining myself that day,” she said.

Kobal said she's always loved fashion and dressing up.

“I like to pull a few sophisticated pieces from men's fashion into my own, but prefer more of a boy-meets-girl fashion statement,” she said.

The Chase Brexton Charm Ball was another opportunity for Kobal to show how she does that.

RETURNING TO HER LOVE OF ENGINEERING: “My grandfather, who was very close to me, gave me a protractor when I was 8. He passed away when I was 16. I took it very hard, and veered away from our dream.”

TEEN SPIRIT: “On Valentine's Day in high school, I remember wearing this blazer that had the pattern of those candy hearts on it. [That was one example why] I was nominated for being ‘Most Spirited' in high school.”