- C
- J
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shall go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8). His eye is on the Sparrow. I know He watches over me.
Why Attend a US Service Academy
August 2016...Passion is a very powerful emotion, motivating those who possess it to go above and beyond the ordinary. When I was put into my first leadership position in JROTC my freshman year, I knew I had a passion for being a part of something bigger. I quickly became aware of the vast opportunities to implement my newly found drive. Throughout my four years in the JROTC program, I’ve met, connected with, and worked for six different army instructors with six different tales to tell and pieces of wisdom to share. Not to mention the hundreds of staff members and cadets that have come and gone. With that being said, it’s no surprise that my views and beliefs were influenced tremendously. I’ve had many different ideas on which career path would best suit me. My consistent need for structure, challenge, and unity told me a great choice would be a service academy. In the summer of 2016, I began my year at the New Mexico Military Institute as a sponsored Merchant Marine Academy prep cadet. This school is known to be the home of an outstanding preparatory program for sponsored preps and self preps looking to attend any of the nation’s five service academies. I’m aware that anyone can enlist, but my sophisticated quality of leadership and need for further education urges me to go to great lengths in order to pursue an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. If appointed, I would be incredibly qualified to stay well rounded in keeping up academics, helping the community, staying active, and preparing to serve our country from the rigorous, meticulous schedule at NMMI. A nomination from the office of Congressman Curt Clawson would be an honor that I would not take lightly. I look forward to continuing my application to be among the prestige of the class of 2021, as well as starting my career a Marine Engineer in the Maritime Industry.
How has New Mexico Military Institute helped me prepare for the US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point?
December 2016
Before receiving the decision of whether or not the academy chose to appoint me earlier this year, I was told by a staff member that my ACT scores were only slightly too low and that the courses I’d be taking at the academy were going to be incredibly challenging compared to those I had already taken. I was then encouraged to consider the possibility of being sponsored to attend a prep school prior to the academy to help get the one ACT score up and to strengthen my math and science courses in order to be competitive upon reapplication if necessary, so I couldn’t refuse. I didn’t know anything about the prep school that I later learned to be New Mexico Military Institute besides what the staff member told me, but once I was denied an appointment and encouraged to attend the prep school I didn’t think anything of it. I was determined to earn my appointment and I still am five months into the semester here at NMMI. As a sponsored preparatory cadet at New Mexico Military Institute, I’ve been put under a lot of stress and pressure to be my absolute best at all times, to be an example for the other cadets around me, and to keep a level head even when lack of sleep and academic overload has practically taken over my persona. I’m currently taking 19 credits, but that doesn’t encompass the courses I’m taking that don’t have credit. My core courses include General Chemistry, Calculus I, Introduction to Physics, and Critical Thinking. Not only have these courses introduced me to subjects I’ll be taking at the academy, but they’ve created positive habits within me that I couldn’t imagine possible without attending NMMI. Some of those habits include prolonged study time, less procrastination, more diligence when it comes to assignments, and advanced prioritization skills. But NMMI has not only strengthened my academic character. This school has helped me shape my physical abilities into a far better condition than before, especially because of the altitude difference between here in New Mexico and my home, Florida. I’m able to run longer and faster than before, even in an altitude with over a three thousand mile difference, I’m able to do many more push ups with incredible form, my score for sit ups has shown great improvement, and I’ve finally moved on from the flexed arm hang to one pull up. In five short months my mind and body have gone through such an outstanding transformation, and although the going gets rough, I’m more than thankful for the opportunity to attend New Mexico Military Institute. On top of all the academics and physical fitness, I’ve been put in leadership positions including guide on, team leader, assistant squad leader, squad leader, acting platoon sergeant, acting platoon leader, and even acting troop commander. I regularly attend the Chemistry Club every Tuesday, and above all I’ve created relationships with people that I’ve known for a few months that are stronger than the relationships I have with people I’ve known for years. The group of cadets around me, especially my fellow sponsored preps is so supporting and kind-hearted, it’s hard to think of something I couldn’t get through with them by my side. My time here at NMMI has been full of new experiences that I know will definitely help me to be the best I can be upon appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy early next year.
Acta Non Verba KINGS POINT!
April 2017 Accepted Appointment to United States Merchant Marine Academy!
Our Goal
This goal is set for fees that will be billed at the end of May. Our school budget included grants that will not be payable until later in the year. These fees include, but are not limited to computer package, midshipman fees, running shoes, sunglasses, watch, laundry, foul weather gear, supplies, health/dental care/insurance and living expenses while on campus.
Not only am I graduating from NMMI, but I am moving back to Florida from New Mexico and then moving from Florida to New York.
Reaching our goal will help me make this tremendous move and embrace this enormous opportunity with all my focus and not stress over where the money is going to come from.
Any amount will be more than appreciated. If you cannot help financially, please keep me in your prayers.
Thank you for the consideration, love, prayers, guidance and support to you, the village that has helped me raise my children. -Susan (mom)
Thank you to Cape Coral HS JROTC leaders.
Thank you to the staff and support personnel at New Mexico Military Institute.
Thank you to Rep. Curt Clawson and his staff for the nomination two years in a row.
Why Attend a US Service Academy
August 2016...Passion is a very powerful emotion, motivating those who possess it to go above and beyond the ordinary. When I was put into my first leadership position in JROTC my freshman year, I knew I had a passion for being a part of something bigger. I quickly became aware of the vast opportunities to implement my newly found drive. Throughout my four years in the JROTC program, I’ve met, connected with, and worked for six different army instructors with six different tales to tell and pieces of wisdom to share. Not to mention the hundreds of staff members and cadets that have come and gone. With that being said, it’s no surprise that my views and beliefs were influenced tremendously. I’ve had many different ideas on which career path would best suit me. My consistent need for structure, challenge, and unity told me a great choice would be a service academy. In the summer of 2016, I began my year at the New Mexico Military Institute as a sponsored Merchant Marine Academy prep cadet. This school is known to be the home of an outstanding preparatory program for sponsored preps and self preps looking to attend any of the nation’s five service academies. I’m aware that anyone can enlist, but my sophisticated quality of leadership and need for further education urges me to go to great lengths in order to pursue an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. If appointed, I would be incredibly qualified to stay well rounded in keeping up academics, helping the community, staying active, and preparing to serve our country from the rigorous, meticulous schedule at NMMI. A nomination from the office of Congressman Curt Clawson would be an honor that I would not take lightly. I look forward to continuing my application to be among the prestige of the class of 2021, as well as starting my career a Marine Engineer in the Maritime Industry.
How has New Mexico Military Institute helped me prepare for the US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point?
December 2016
Before receiving the decision of whether or not the academy chose to appoint me earlier this year, I was told by a staff member that my ACT scores were only slightly too low and that the courses I’d be taking at the academy were going to be incredibly challenging compared to those I had already taken. I was then encouraged to consider the possibility of being sponsored to attend a prep school prior to the academy to help get the one ACT score up and to strengthen my math and science courses in order to be competitive upon reapplication if necessary, so I couldn’t refuse. I didn’t know anything about the prep school that I later learned to be New Mexico Military Institute besides what the staff member told me, but once I was denied an appointment and encouraged to attend the prep school I didn’t think anything of it. I was determined to earn my appointment and I still am five months into the semester here at NMMI. As a sponsored preparatory cadet at New Mexico Military Institute, I’ve been put under a lot of stress and pressure to be my absolute best at all times, to be an example for the other cadets around me, and to keep a level head even when lack of sleep and academic overload has practically taken over my persona. I’m currently taking 19 credits, but that doesn’t encompass the courses I’m taking that don’t have credit. My core courses include General Chemistry, Calculus I, Introduction to Physics, and Critical Thinking. Not only have these courses introduced me to subjects I’ll be taking at the academy, but they’ve created positive habits within me that I couldn’t imagine possible without attending NMMI. Some of those habits include prolonged study time, less procrastination, more diligence when it comes to assignments, and advanced prioritization skills. But NMMI has not only strengthened my academic character. This school has helped me shape my physical abilities into a far better condition than before, especially because of the altitude difference between here in New Mexico and my home, Florida. I’m able to run longer and faster than before, even in an altitude with over a three thousand mile difference, I’m able to do many more push ups with incredible form, my score for sit ups has shown great improvement, and I’ve finally moved on from the flexed arm hang to one pull up. In five short months my mind and body have gone through such an outstanding transformation, and although the going gets rough, I’m more than thankful for the opportunity to attend New Mexico Military Institute. On top of all the academics and physical fitness, I’ve been put in leadership positions including guide on, team leader, assistant squad leader, squad leader, acting platoon sergeant, acting platoon leader, and even acting troop commander. I regularly attend the Chemistry Club every Tuesday, and above all I’ve created relationships with people that I’ve known for a few months that are stronger than the relationships I have with people I’ve known for years. The group of cadets around me, especially my fellow sponsored preps is so supporting and kind-hearted, it’s hard to think of something I couldn’t get through with them by my side. My time here at NMMI has been full of new experiences that I know will definitely help me to be the best I can be upon appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy early next year.
Acta Non Verba KINGS POINT!
April 2017 Accepted Appointment to United States Merchant Marine Academy!
Our Goal
This goal is set for fees that will be billed at the end of May. Our school budget included grants that will not be payable until later in the year. These fees include, but are not limited to computer package, midshipman fees, running shoes, sunglasses, watch, laundry, foul weather gear, supplies, health/dental care/insurance and living expenses while on campus.
Not only am I graduating from NMMI, but I am moving back to Florida from New Mexico and then moving from Florida to New York.
Reaching our goal will help me make this tremendous move and embrace this enormous opportunity with all my focus and not stress over where the money is going to come from.
Any amount will be more than appreciated. If you cannot help financially, please keep me in your prayers.
Thank you for the consideration, love, prayers, guidance and support to you, the village that has helped me raise my children. -Susan (mom)
Thank you to Cape Coral HS JROTC leaders.
Thank you to the staff and support personnel at New Mexico Military Institute.
Thank you to Rep. Curt Clawson and his staff for the nomination two years in a row.
Organizer and beneficiary
Victoria Durand
Beneficiary