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December 10, 2005
Almost Christmas/Military Academy Time
It's almost Christmas and every almost Christmas for the past several years, I've had a very unique and enjoyable opportunity. I'm on a panel to interview students for entrance into the Military Academies. Yes, West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy and the Merchant Marines.
This is a yearly experience I enjoy. It's a chance to see some of the brightest and best students in all of the north state. Most of them come to our panel with top grade point averages, some with over a 4.0. They're all top in science and math, have great SAT scores, are atheletes, and leaders in school, civic, and/or church activities. These young men and women, most of them seniors in high school, are incredibly gifted already in their lives. Now they're deciding where to go and what to do to make a difference.
Today, and this year tomorrow as well, we will interview 19 students. I've looked at their resumes, transcripts, and reference letters. They are a wonderfully talented group. Not all will be selected, and of some who are selected not all will opt for a military choice. Some will decide to go to a University instead of an academy, but each year when I look at these students, I am always reassured how well education, our parents, and our communities are doing. We turn out kids like these. We turn out kids who will lead and create and develop the newest innovations we will live with in the upcoming decades.
I support the military. I need to. I have two sons in the Air Force, but beyond that I know what the service has done for my kids in helping them grow-up and focus on their futures and ours.
It's truly fun and an honor to meet with these students over the next couple days. I'm sure they won't have quite the same pleasure out of the experience that I will since they're on the hot seat, but some day I hope they know the pleasure we derive from watching them succeed.
Posted by Dr Joni at December 10, 2005 06:28 AM