Making The Grade USNA Accepted Student
By: Eddie Randle
Updated: February 28, 2013
It's been several years since a WFISD student has been accepted to the United States Naval Academy.
But soon a Wichita Falls High School student will follow in the footsteps of President Jimmy Carter and Senator John McCain.
"I've been wanting to go a service academy since I was about 13 maybe earlier than that", said Long.
Andrew Long is a senior at Wichita Falls High School and in a few short months he'll be gong to annapolis.
He says he applied to the three summer programs at allthree military academies but it wasn't until he toured the Naval Academy that he made up his mind.
"They taught us what it would be like as a mid shipmate and I really liked it allot so I finished my application there and decided that was the route I was going to take",said USNA accpeted student Andrew Long.
But his route to the academy wasn't easy. Andrew says the application process is gruelling.
All military academy applicants must have a recommendation from a U.S. Congressman or Congresswoman.
"I got mine from congressman Mac Thornberry of the 13th district and I had to write 2 essays and get 6 recommendation letters", said Long.
Academics and extra curricular activity are also key points to being considered.
Andrew had no problem in those categories.
"I take all ap courses here, I play tennis and I do a couple extra curricular,. Im president of the Key Club", said Long.
Andrew says he knows the academy will take a lot of hard work and dedication but he's ready for the challenge.
"It will be really fun, whenever I get there it wont be that fun because I'll be getting yelled at 24/7 but other than that it will be a really good experience and it will be really good for me", said Long.
Andrew says he plans to pursue the engineering field.
He also says he could not have made it this far without the help of his Wichita Falls High School counselor Tracey Craig.
