Avani Narula ’21, Krissie Essilfie ’21:
Three students from the senior class will be attending military academies next fall: Skyler Schork ‘18, attending the Naval Academy, Sean McGarrity ‘18, going to the Merchant Marine Academy, and Alexandra DiMarco ‘18, who will be attending West Point Academy. This is an unusually high number of students entering service academies from a single class.
Because the military academies are so selective, the application process is very extensive. “You have to start the process in about June of your junior year in high school,” McGarrity says. “Your pre-application has to be accepted by the school. Once you’re an official candidate, you have to do a fitness test and pass a medical examination, get nominated by your congressman or senator, submit test scores like ACT or SAT, and get teacher recommendations.”
Each of the three students was inspired to join the academies for different reasons. “I chose the Naval Academy because it embodies everything I believe in,” Schork explains. “I am looking forward to surrounding myself with individuals who lead with integrity.” For McGarrity, it was his family that inspired his passion for military service. “My grandfather really inspired me to go. He was in the military so going to a military academy has been a life-long goal of mine,” McGarrity reports. As for why he chose to specifically attend the Merchant Marine Academy, McGarrity said it was simply closest to home. “I also love the campus,” he continues. “It’s a smaller environment than most schools so the class sizes are smaller as well.” DiMarco, felt drawn to military service because of sports. “I started looking at military academies for rugby. I fell in love with the campus [of West Point Academy] after I visited. I have always had an interest in joining the military as a way to give back and serve my country.” All three students feel a need to protect and serve their country through service on the military which led them to choose their schools.
Now that they have been accepted into the academies, the students are free to dream about what it will be like once they get there. “I know it’s going to be really challenging, and that’s what I want; to be challenged,” Schork says. “The mission statement of the academy is to development morally, mentally, and physically, so I’m hoping to get the most out of that.”
The inspiration doesn’t stop at attending the academies. After completing their four years of training through their college years, each student has a goal to pursue. McGarrity’s main goal is making his role in the military a full-time job. “I want to make my military service a real career, so going to the Merchant Marine academy will provide me with the skills to make my career as many years as possible,” McGarrity mentions. Schork’s goal is to become a Navy Pilot, and attending the Naval Academy will help her achieve this dream. At West Point Academy. DiMarco believes, “becoming a leader is a big thing so I definitely want to improve my leadership skills.”
As instructors and major figures in the Episcopal Academy faculty, Letts and TJ Locke, Head of School, were able to provide a general perspective of the situation, including how they thought this reflected back on EA. “I think this reflects well on EA because the academies are looking for future leaders,” Locke remarks. “They’re looking for people of character, people who work hard and I think those characteristics are common among EA students.” Letts agrees with this position, pointing out that, “We both have the idea of character education, service to others, duty, carrying yourself with honor and purpose.” When asked for final words about these students, Locke asserts, “We are very proud. It’s hard work to go into these academies. I’m proud that our students want to put in that hard work and if we need good leaders of judgement leading our country, I’m glad they’re coming from Episcopal.”