<p>i met him at CVW, no comment. . .</p>
<p>Wheelah please explain that one in more detail...don't leave us hanging.</p>
<p>from what was explained to me by mids and napsters, he did not get the required 2.0 for graduation from NAPS yet he got into the academy.</p>
<p>My son (NAPS 07) and I visited Newport last week, and I asked an unnamed LT how they'd increased the no. of NAPS students going to USNA in 2005. I assumed there was some new academic program. He said, "Two words: Jack McCain. Since they took him, they had to take all the guys between his GPA and 2.0."</p>
<p>basically, jack mccain didn't graduate from NAPS because he didn't have the 2.0, as has been said.however, he was given an appointment--how could they not give him one? From all accounts from napsters that i know, my roomate included, he was a total ****-bag. he's actually going to be in my western lit class next semester. but, after all, his father didn't exactly have a stellar academic experience at the academy (graduating perilously close to the bottom), and i think we'd all agree he turned out well. perhaps jack will follow in his dad's footsteps in that way as well.</p>
<p>So what kind of medical exams do we do on I-Day?</p>
<p>i want to extend a warm congratulations to hamarcelo, if you want to hear a truly incredible story about going to USNA/NAPS, ask her about her story. bottom line is, she will be joining us at Indoc!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think we'd all agree he turned out well.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You'd be mistaken.</p>
<p>That's all I'm going to say.</p>
<p>Well, NAPS06, I have YOU to thank for my truly incredible story! ;)</p>
<p>now I am intrigued hamarcelo! What story is this?</p>
<p>Well, it's pretty long, but it's a nice story...that is true.</p>
<p>Going to the U.S. Naval Academy has been my dream since I was little. However, I wasn't the fastest, strongest, or smartest girl in school. I have a 3.5 gpa, a 1200 SAT score, a little overweight, and I'm usually the second to the last runner during track meets. When I told people that I wanted to go to the Naval Academy, they sometimes looked at me as if I wanted to become Queen of England. However, despite on what everybody said to me, I continued to pursue my dream to become a midshipman of the United States Naval Academy. I began completing my application in the summer and fall of my senior year. I took the SATs 8 times and failed my CFA. I wasn't competitive enough but the admissions board believed that I have some potential so they gave me a conditional appointment to NAPS. The letter said that if I complete remedials for my DoDMERB exam, they will give me an appointment to NAPS. So after I completed sending information about my vision and other medical info, they sent me another letter saying that they have denied my waiver and my appointment to NAPS. After a few months have passed, I forgot about my rejection letter and decided to move on. Maybe USNA, wasn't part of God's plan for me. Then I received a letter of assurance from West Point. The letter said that if I retake my CFA and lose weight by a certain date, they'll give me a direct appointment join the class of 2010. That sounded like a really good deal. So I worked really hard into getting myself to lose weight and do well on my CFA. I even got my parents to pay for a personal fitness instructor to get me into the best possible shape in a short amount of time. I eventually passed my CFA and forward my CFA to USMA. However, I still could not stop myself from thinking about going to my dream school, USNA. I felt so disappointed that all my hard work in high school has been a waste. I was talking to NAPS06 on the phone about his trip to NAPS. I told him that I wish I could be there and he told me not to give up. He said that I should try to make admissions change their minds because there were other stories about people getting in to USNA in under unusual circumstances. It gave me some hope that I might just have a chance. I told my BGO about me trying to appeal the admissions' decision. He told me that it might just work, but at the same time he told me not to get my hopes up high and that I should consider also other alternatives. My dad told me that it was pretty much hopeless and no use because there were more qualified candidates that USNA can chose from. After all they were looking for the "best of the best." My mom told me to give it a try and to not give up because she said she just had this "feeling" that something good may come out of it.
I made some phone calls to other people who were associated with USNA to seek their advice. I wrote a letter to USNA in February saying that I was still interested in going to NAPS and I did everything I could to better prepare myself to become more competitive. I also forwarded my new CFA results and my updated extracurricular activities. </p>
<p>A few months passed and I still haven't received a letter back from USNA. At that time, I thought that it was pretty much over; however, I had the satisfaction of knowing that I did everything I could and exhausted all my resources into getting USNA. If USNA wasn't for me, then that's okay. There were other avenues of success to pursue. My BGO even hooked me up to talk to Thomas Cutler, the author of Sailor's History Of The U.S. Navy and the Bluejacket's manual and was featured in the History Channel. Thomas Cutler had always wanted to go to USNA, but USNA didn't accept him. So he went to OCS and had a successful career as a surface warfare officer and retired as a LCDR. He even taught at USNA for 9 years. My BGO said "Although he didn't go to the Academy, he feels that he is living his dream." Thomas Cutler even emailed me personally saying that "The important thing is not the source but the commission and how you serve." He also emphasized to me that I should "Make the best of your opportunities--whatever they are." You can be successful in life even if you don't graduate from the Naval Academy. You're goal is to become a U.S. Naval Officer and be good at what you do whether you get your commission from NROTC or the Academy. </p>
<p>I thought about what Thomas Cutler had said and he was right. Later in the spring I received appointments to go to USMMA, USMA, and USAFA. That was totally incredible to be offered so many opportunities. I visited all of the schools, but I had a hard time choosing which one to go to. </p>
<p>When I just drove back from track practice, I looked into the mail and saw a THIN envelope from USNA. I was like <i>great, a letter reminding me of my rejection to USNA</i> because it is usually around April when the Academy sends letters to candidates about their admissions status. Instead it a letter saying that they have reviewed my file and decided to approve my waiver. I was elated! I was even more surprised when they later sent me a certificate with a folder with a picture of the Blue Angels.<br>
I am now on my way join the Naval Academy Preparatory School this summer and after completion of NAPS I will be joining the Class of 2011 at USNA. This experience has taught me to never give up and to always persevere even though there will be times of discouragement and disappointment. It also taught me that God is always faithful and works in ways we don't understand. I have learned to trust God in everything and to always pray. I could have never done it without Him and I'll never forget Him for it. These are the lessons that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. Even, if I was never accepted to USNA, I would still strive to become a good leader and serve my country well. Never give up your dream. Work hard and do the best you can. Remember, I wasn't a superstar or a valedictorian, but the important thing was that I tried my very best and I had the attitude and motivation to succeed. </p>
<p>DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP.</p>
<p>By hamarcelo</p>
<p>hamarcelo... You are so fortunate to be able to get this opportunity.... after all, you do deserve it... your story is an inspiration to all those people, who are'nt the valedictorian, or sports star, or National Honor Society member... and I know im not the sharpest tool in the shed either... nevertheless, in order for anyone to reach their highest goals, they need passion, and girl, you GOT IT!!! I look forward to seeing you and all of our other fellow NAPSters... August the 8th, don't forget... :p ....</p>
<p>Alex Delgado
NAPS CLASS OF 2007!!
USNA CLASS OF 2011!!</p>
<p>kudos for hamarcelo...way to go!!!</p>
<p>hamarcelo... </p>
<p>Your story brought tears to my eyes! You should be so very proud! You are an inspiration to all of us and NAPS and USNA are indeed fortunate to have someone like you!!! </p>
<p>Thanks for sharing it with everyone (including Moms like me who believe anything and everything is possible for our children)!</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!!!</p>
<p>-gypsycl</p>
<p>hamarcelo, wow honey - what a wonderful story!
It was your persistance and dedication that clearly impressed not just all the admission boards at our service academies, but we folks here in the forum as well! Congratulations on going to NAPS!! USNA's Class of 2011 will be blessed to have you!!</p>
<p>Just imagine, we all get to see eachother in August!! (btw, i'm gonna be at the navy lodge, anyone else gonna be there?)</p>
<p>hamarcelo, what a great officer you will be! Given the choice to go to war with a greyhound (who easily races to the front of all endeavors) or a bulldog (who has to scrap and claw for everything), I'd pick the bulldog. You, young lady, are a bulldog. I'd have been proud to be your shipmate.</p>
<p>NAPS06, BZ to you for supporting your future shipmate.</p>
<p>My son (Hamarcelo's future classmate) hurdled a couple roadblocks to get to NAPS, but Hamarcelo, your story is a genuine inspiration. Thank you for sharing it.</p>
<p>Wow hamarcelo. Truly an underdog story.</p>
<p>It's amazing to hear what kids will do to get into one of the Service Academies. Hamarcelo's story is a perfect example. You never hear of kids who are rejected from Harvard accepting other schools and reapplying the next year. There are so many kids out there who would have given up at the first 'no,' but not SA candidates. From rejection to NASS to admissions denial, they seem to take every 'no' in stride and simply use it to build themselves into even stronger individuals.</p>
<p>All my shipmates in NROTC are amazed that I'm willing to start college all over (I really don't see it like that at all) "just for the Naval Academy." But it's something I've wanted all my life...To be a Naval Officer who happens to be a USNA graduate.</p>
<p>Again...Truly amazing. May God be with you in all your future endeavors, Hamarcelo. And God Bless this great nation and all it's future leaders.</p>
<p>You seem to be in the know. Do you know how many NAPS grads have achieve the rank of Admiral in the last 50 years? If you do, could you give me the names of some. Thanks</p>