MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- For some high school students, applying to a college or university is a short electronic or paper process away. Yet, for Trent and Kelsie, two student athletes, Quantico Middle/High School, the processes were longer, requirements were stricter, and need to be at the top of the class for admission was a must.
Trent and Kelsie applied for and have been accepted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., for the fall of 2013.
The United States Naval Academy, also known as USNA or Annapolis, is a four-year coeducational federal service academy. Founded in 1845, Academy has given midshipmen the up-to-date academic and professional training they need to be effective naval officers in their assignments after graduation.
According to the academy’s website, their mission is to “develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.”
“In the 13 years that Sgt. Maj. Jose Diaz and I have worked here, only six students have attended the Naval Academy,” said ret. Col. Paul Roy, Junior ROTC instructor and athletic director, QMHS. “With Kelsie and Trent admission, it will make it eight.”
Roy went on to mention that so far, two students have gone to the Virginia Military Institute, three students went to the United States Merchant Marine Academy and two have attended the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Trent arrived at QMHS his junior year. In his two years, he has played for the varsity basketball, baseball and football team. He has also been a part of the Junior ROTC and the National Honor Society. He would like to be an infantry officer or fly an aircraft after the academy.
“I was very excited and relieved I was accepted,” Trent said. “I would like to thank my mother because she has done a lot to get me to this point.”
This was Kelsie’s first year at QMHS. In just a year, she has played on the varsity soccer and volleyball teams. She has also been a part of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She will study Political Science while at the academy. Kelsie is still waiting to be accepted by other schools before she makes a decision.
“I went to a summer seminar at the Academy early in the school year and I really enjoyed it,” Kelsie said. “This is a great opportunity and I’m really grateful to have had my parents support me the entire way.”
The eligibility requirements and application process is not a walk in the park and should not be taken lightly. After understanding the basics such as not being able to be married, pregnant or have any dependents, the application process is long and grueling.
First, a preliminary application must be submitted to become an official candidate for the following year's entering class unless that student has applied for the academy’s Summer Seminar program. The application includes the student’s rank in their high school class from their Guidance Office and their SAT, ACT or PSAT scores.
Next, the student must obtain a nomination from an official source, ie: U.S. representatives, U.S. senators or vice president of the United States. Realistically, it is not required, for the student to personally be acquainted with the person from whom they are seeking a nomination.
The students will also have to take the Scholastic Assessment Test or the American College Test prior to admission.
After all the information has been submitted, if it is strong enough case for admission, the student will become an official candidate for admission. And upon the completion of their candidate file, the Admissions Board will review their record, while they undergo a thorough medical examination and fitness assessment.
For information about the Naval Academy, visit www.usna.edu/homepage.php.