PORT ARTHUR — When it comes to working hard this Port Arthur News reader knows the meaning of true labor.

Kandis LeTulle, 27, has been a Port Arthur News reader for as long as she can remember.

“My parents, especially my dad, always read the Port Arthur paper when I was growing up,” said LeTulle.

LeTulle maintains the Port Arthur paper keeps her up to date on the latest local news and events.

“I always enjoy the Entertainer section of paper. I like to know what is going on in the area and on the weekends,” said LeTulle.

LeTulle was born and raised in Port Arthur. Although her family moved away for a short period of time, it was not long before LeTulle found herself back in Port Arthur.

“Both of my parents grew up in this area. We moved out of the city for a few years when I was older, but it did not take long until we were back in Port Arthur again,” she said.

After returning to Port Arthur, LeTulle spent time in various aspects of the work force and was not at all opposed to rolling up her sleeves and adhering to a little hard labor. In fact, LeTulle actually spent nearly five years working in construction.

“What’s funny is when I usually tell people that, they assume that I had an air-conditioned desk job. In reality, I actually worked out in the field and it was not doing paper work,” she said.

LeTulle spent her first year of construction as a hole-watch for Excel, after which she spent the next few years at ProTherm as an insulation helper.

“There is a big difference between the two, and the latter definitely entailed a lot more work,” said LeTulle.

Although she admits that women definitely make up the minority in the field of construction, LeTulle maintains it was not as bad as some may think.

“When you are a single mom, you do what you need to do to get the bills paid. It was a little rough when I first started, since I was one of only a handful of women out there, but overall I have to say that in some ways I liked it,” she said.

LeTulle explained the worst thing about the job was not attributed to XX verses XY chromosomes or even to manual labor, but instead the intense weather conditions and long hours.

“Being out in the extreme heat and cold was the terrible thing about the job. Compared to being out in the weather for 10 hours a day, everything else seemed a lot easier,” said LeTulle.

After three years with the company LeTulle decided to make a career change and she returned to school. She enrolled in classes at Texas Careers and in 2003 she graduated as a certified medical assistant.

“I wanted to find something that would allow me a more flexible schedule so that I would have more time with my son. I knew that the only way I could do it was to go back to school,” LeTulle said.

Upon completion of her schooling, LeTulle began working at the medical office of urologist, Dr. Gerardo Chica. LeTulle has spent the last six years there as the office coordinator.

“I really like it there. I like the work and the people. For one thing there is air conditioning, but the best thing is I have better hours, therefore more time with my son. It’s nice to actually be able to drive him to school each morning,” LeTulle said.

When she’s not at work LeTulle enjoys spending her free time with her son, 10-year-old Ashton. During the summer time the two spend every chance they get driving to the beach in Sabine Pass.

“Ashton loves the water and I love any excuse to spend a day in the sun,” LeTulle said.

LeTulle and her son also enjoy going to the park and visiting the bowling alley on occasion.

“Bowling is something fun we can do together. Plus, it’s always fun for him since he generally has the pleasure of beating a grown-up,” she said.

Although LeTulle has thought about what it would be like to live somewhere else, she maintains there is no place like home.

“You know, I say I wouldn’t mind living somewhere else, but then again this is still home and I couldn’t imagine it anywhere else,” said LeTulle.