High standards of honor, character, and conduct. These are the words that the United States Naval Academy uses to describe what they are looking for in future Midshipmen. With an admissions rate of seven percent, competition for admission to the USNA is just as intense as an Ivy League college.
Yet when Hannah Citsay decided in the spring of her junior year that she was planning on applying, I knew right off the bat that she would have a real shot at earning this prestigious honor.
Working as Hannah’s counselor since her freshman year, I have seen qualities that ultimately made her an outstanding candidate from the very beginning. Determination, humility, maturity, diligence, compassion for others, a relatable and caring personality, organization, and a sense of humor to keep her grounded through tough times. These are all traits that benefited her going back to her freshman year and took her through the application process for the Naval Academy.
From a counselor’s perspective, I can say that the college application process is not an easy task for any senior. It involves taking standardized tests, writing essays and making sure loads of documents are processed properly, all while communicating with admissions representatives to make sure everything is in line and submitted on time. The application process for the USNA takes things to a whole new level. Starting in the spring of junior year, students need to start thinking about doing a fitness assessment, completing a medical examination for the Department of Defense, and begin mapping out a timeline for what will be a very busy fall.
In addition to those things and the typical parts of a college application, Naval Academy candidates must receive a nomination from an official source. That source can be a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, or the Vice President of the United States. This is not as simple as simply writing to a politician and asking for a nomination. In fact, to receive one, students must sit before a panel to be interviewed about their merits, why they deserve a nomination, and why a military academy is the right fit.
Hannah lined up interviews with Representative Lloyd Smucker and Senator Bob Casey. To help her prep for this, I arranged a mock panel interview, including Principal Terry Klugh and President Tim Hamer. We asked Hannah questions, took note of her answers and gave her feedback so that she could confidently approach her interviews. I was thrilled to hear that Hannah received an early Christmas gift on December 23 when she obtained a nomination from Representative Smucker. However, it should be noted that a nomination does not guarantee that a student will receive an appointment to an academy. The process was completed three months later when Hannah sent a picture of her United States Naval Academy Appointment Certificate!
Our relationship continued as we were paired to lead an upcoming Kairos retreat together. This four-day, three-night trip is a huge responsibility for a student as they become a leader for all of the retreatants. Watching Hannah in action in this role only confirmed that the Navy was receiving a gem. Her outstanding leadership and personal skills were invaluable. By learning new details of her personal story and watching her interact with others, I was able to see a resilience and strength that made me respect her even more.
Each year I ask my ninth-grade students to complete a list that includes goals for the future. Way back on November 24, 2014, Hannah said that by the time she finished high school she hoped to make lifelong friends and learn practical things that will help her in life. She also noted that she wanted to go to college, stay close to her family and friends, and get a job that helps society.
It is not easy to set goals at the age of 14, as high school is a time of transition and finding out who you are. Through seeing Hannah’s interactions with her friends and witnessing her relationship with her family, I know that she has fulfilled her goals that were centered on those closest to her. By looking at her grades, watching her efforts on the soccer field, and seeing the lessons she learned from both her academic and athletic careers, she has certainly learned many practical things that will help her. And of course, she has not only been admitted to college, but she will be serving her country in a way that will forever allow her to help society.
We are so thrilled to see what her next steps in Annapolis hold for her as she sets sail on a new voyage. So whether it’s a goal from freshman year or earning admission to one of the most prestigious schools in the country, Hannah Citsay, you can proudly say that your mission has been accomplished.