<p>Why would you reward a kid for putting his/her life on the line before he/she even did such a thing? </p>
<p>I'm indifferent to people getting recognized/rewarded. If that is what their school does, so be it. </p>
<p>However, many people that go to service academies, go for selfish reasons. Many do not make it to graduation. Some will never be put in a situation where their life is on the line, and in that situation they might not feel that their life is worth losing. So why should one get rewarded for that? </p>
<p>Instead of </p>
<p>"Anyone willing to put their life on the line for our country better get their ass rewarded.."</p>
<p>I think you meant.. </p>
<p>Anyone that has put their life on the line for our country better get their butt rewarded.</p>
<p>For the same reason you recognize a kid for getting a scholarship to a civilian college even before he goes and shows he can make the grade.</p>
<p>Our high school gives a form to every senior kid to fill out where they put down any award/scholarship they have gotten. If the kid doesn't list it, then they don't get recognized.</p>
<p>Our school's was 3 hours long! It was during the day and every senior was supposed to attend. The junior class and parents were there, too.
It seemed like almost everyone got somthing! Maybe some of them who were not going to get anything skipped it, because I guess there should have been 300 seniors and there weren't.</p>
<p>I'm missing the point because I don't want to be gloated over? I had plenty of other collegiate offers that I could have chosen from, and just like the rest of my class I made a choice to go to COLLEGE. Admittedly, there are other factors to consider when choosing an academy over a traditional university. However, face it, we can sit here on our high horse all we want and proclaim how we'll be lifers in the navy with salt water in our veins, but the only time any of us will know that is after that first 5 (or 8, depending) years. My BGO 5-and-dived and now has a successful banking career, based on his education. Fact of the matter is, for the first 4, we're going to college to get an education. And that played a tremendous role in the decision-making process. So, I chose an education, just like "person a" with the 2400, just like our valedictorian. And incidentally, what's to prevent her from working for Bell Labs, or Sandia? Just because you're not toting a gun doesn't mean you can't serve your country.</p>
<p>So long as we're dealing in cents, I'd ask a penny for your thoughts, but I wouldn't want to take your whole brain.</p>
<p>Admittedly my last post was slightly harsh. Apologies for that. We've all worked very hard for the past 4 years to arrive where we are now. If you want to be recognized, that's great. Personally, it's not my style. Leave it at that.</p>
<p>Opus, I think you and my daughter think alike. She never has been one to seek the spotlight. It is me in my "Psycho-mom" mode who wants her to be recognized for her accomplishments. I have been undergoing treatment for this disorder, but current methods don't appear to be working.</p>
<p>Anyway, since my orginal post some things have changed. After I called the school asking a few questions, darling daughter came home and said she needs her appointment certificate so the school can make a copy. A guidance counselor asked her what a service academy education is worth, so they can include that information. Of course, I had to call the school to find out when this event is taking place. Since it is less than two weeks away, I am wondering if they decided to include her at the last minute. We usually get notice of sports banquets 3-4 weeks ahead, so I am curious about this one. Bad mom! Don't be a cynic!</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks to all of you for your suggestions. Making a few well-placed phone calls seems to have done the trick.</p>
<p>OK! Last night was our DD's senior awards ceremony (the invitation arrived 5 days before the event) and it was pretty interesting. There are 491 kids in her class and what seems to me to be a lot of future officers in the group: </p>
<pre><code> 1 AFROTC Scholarship
2 NROTC Scholarships
2 Appointments to USMA
and..... (drumroll, please!)
2 Appointments to USNA
</code></pre>
<p>I was impressed with those stats. </p>
<p>The Army officer presented the future cadets with their apointment certificates. The ROTC folks presented other certificates. The BGO apoligized to the kids for not having anything to present them. He did say that the Navy education was valued at over $300,000. </p>
<p>Sure glad I don't have to write that check...by myself!</p>
<p>Wow beachmom, that is so impressive! We have 700 graduates in her class with only 1 Nrotc and 2 to USNA from our school! </p>
<p>However, 2 nights ago, the San Diego Naval Academy Alumni hosted all the incoming mids and their families for a dinner and there were 20 kids from SD county represented...5 kids were from Coronado high school - so I guess that little school hit the jackpot in our area this year.</p>
<p>My graduating class was only 32. In the entire history of the school, I was the first (and I think I remain the only) student ever to have APPLIED (let alone get an appointment) to a Service Academy. That history goes back to 1912.</p>
<p>Z- our high school has 3600 students, with a sister school of another 3600, plus some magnet/continuing kids not in this mix. Yep, ya gotta love living in Southern California.</p>
<p>I stay for the weather and 7 miles to the beach!</p>
<p>Too bad you have to put up with the blockheads that are slowly infesting our beloved board. I wouldn't live in Kali for all the treasure in the kingdom.</p>
<p>Sierra is the FIRST woman to be accepted to an academy from her high school. Heck our whole state only had 6 accepted to USNA and here's one school with 7 major appointments. OUTSTANDING!</p>
<p>P.S. I here ya Z - but, hey, that's what we're here for, right! ;)</p>
<p>This is too cool! Peske, would you by any chance have the names of the kids from Coronado. We lived there for seven years; some of them may be old classmates/friends of our DD. I worked in the school system for five years. It would be too fun if some of them were kids we knew!</p>
<p>Go Islanders!</p>
<p>Our area alumni association had a banquet on Thursday night. There are 14 kids from the Hampton Roads (southeastern Virginia) area headed to Annapolis. We were told that 217 had applied. Pretty stiff competition! The best part was the number of grads from the class of 1960; they promised to mentor our mids and provide any assistance needed as they begin their years at Annapolis. It was pretty moving. We sat with a retired admiral from '60 who entertained us with stories of his years in the navy. It was a great night.</p>
<p>beachmom....I didn't lock in any names, but I have a group photo - not the best, but heck, it's a photo, of all the kids there that night, so you may recognize someone....email me at <a href="mailto:commcfm@cox.net">commcfm@cox.net</a> and I'll send it to you</p>
<p>Theory- they didn't say. My assumption was that was the number who requested nominations, since it was part of the intro for our congresswoman. I could be completely wrong about that.</p>
<p>We had our awards event last night. It was fabulous. Our BGO took his time and talked all about the Academy + the qualifications it takes to gain an appointment. He talked about the monetary value of the education. He spoke about how the 2 boys were going to have a different summer than pretty much everyone there and it starts in just 2 1/2 weeks.But the best part was when he stated that this is the first time in Oregon that 2 kids from the same school have gained appointments to USNA in the same year! High school is done for Jake and he can celebrate at least for a little while.</p>
<p>Congratulations, Jake! You must be so proud of him. Tell him to rest up and enjoy his down time. I gather they won't have much of that after the 28th. </p>
<p>Tara still has another week and a half of school, if you can call it that. She hasn't done anything in weeks except show up. One disadvantage of taking all APs is that they have nothing to do once they take the exams.</p>
<p>Don't know about you, but I am trying hard not to think about how little time they have left at home.</p>