Accomplished students head to Colorado Springs and Annapolis for an intense college experience.
By DONNA WINCHESTER
Published August 20, 2003
Neighborhood Times continues its salute this week to recent Pinellas County high school graduates who earned spots at the nation's five armed forces academies.
This week, we feature students who spent the summer undergoing rigorous physical training at the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. They now are beginning intense academic training, which will earn them bachelor's degrees and officer's commissions.
Nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., come from U.S. senators and representatives. The president can make 100 additional nominations. Candidates must be U.S. citizens between 17 and 23 years old.
Their academic classes include science, engineering, humanities, social sciences and ethics. They take an Oath of Allegiance, agreeing to serve as commissioned officers in the Air Force for at least five years after graduation.
Although no Pinellas students received appointments this year to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., several local students who earned nominations last year are continuing their studies. Their nominations came from senators or representatives and were governed by state and territory quota systems based on population.
The students are pursuing a four-year course in marine engineering, navigation, electricity, ship construction and naval science, which will culminate in bachelor's degrees and commissions as ensigns in the naval reserves.
Candidates for the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., are nominated by senators and representatives. Additionally, the president can nominate an unlimited number of children of career military personnel.
The students' four-year curriculum includes mathematics, science, engineering, social sciences and humanities. They can choose an academic major such as aerospace engineering, oceanography or political science, and graduate with bachelor's degrees and commissions as ensigns in the Navy or as second lieutenants in the Marine Corps.
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Stephen W. Miller
Calvary Christian High School Class of 2003
NOMINATED BY: U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis
ACTIVITIES: Varsity soccer, varsity basketball, Clearwater Community Church vacation Bible school leader.
HONORS: National Honor Roll, Rho Kappa Honor Society, Administrator's Scholar, Who's Who Among American High School Students, Athletic Director's Scholar Athlete Award, Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools Outstanding Scholar's Program national finalist, Association of Christian Schools International Distinguished High School Student Award, Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star soccer team
PARENTS: Bonnie and Ed Miller, Clearwater
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
Elliott Zercher Anderson
Admiral Farragut Academy Class of 2003
ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Key Club, AAU basketball league, American Legion baseball team, Salvation Army basketball league, University of Florida basketball camp
HONORS: Varsity basketball team captain, varsity baseball team captain, varsity baseball and basketball letters, varsity basketball Coach's Award, President's Award for Educational Excellence, Who's Who Among American High School Students, National Mathematics Award, Academic Ribbon, Presbyterian College Junior Academic Achievement Award, AFA Varsity Basketball Coach's Award, NJROTC 2nd Company 1st Platoon Squad Leader, NJROTC Qualified Boat Handler, NJROTC Company Chief 3rd Company, Military Order of the Purple Heart, ROTC National Leadership Award, Grimes Award for the athlete who most benefited the athletic program
PARENTS: Anne and Stephenson Anderson, Tierra Verde
Haley Dodson
Clearwater Central Catholic High School Class of 2003
NOMINATED BY: Sen. Bill Nelson
ACTIVITIES: National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, USTA state- and national-level tennis, and volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, Largo Medical Center and Clearwater Coast Guard station.
HONORS: Graduated 10th in class, No. 1 position on tennis team for four years, two-year tennis team captain, 2003 district singles champion, 2001 and 2003 district doubles champion, Florida State Tennis Championship player in 2001 and 2003, USTA Sportsmanship Award
PARENTS: Gloria H. and John W. Dodson, Belleair Beach
Chaseton S. Hobby
Countryside High School Class of 2003
NOMINATED BY: Adm. Richard Naughton, superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy
ACTIVITIES: Peer tutoring, yearbook staff, student government, varsity football and soccer teams
HONORS: Boys State, All State soccer team, All County football team, Scholar Athlete of the Year, U.S. Marine Corps Scholar Athlete Award, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, Principal's Choice Award, USA soccer scholarship
PARENTS: Jacqui Hobby, Clearwater, and Phil Hobby, Oldsmar
