Christi Pugh
Danny Collins, Drew Hicks, and Grayson Harber- three guys you’ve probably seen rushing through the halls to get to one of their IB classes- but these 3 guys have set out to pursue so much more after their high school careers. Collins and Harber have accepted appointment into the Air Force Military academy in Colorado Springs, while Hicks has accepted appointment into West Point Military Academy in Highland Falls, New York.
“I wanted a world class education and serve the United States and also I get the chance to play college baseball, so [Air force was] the perfect package all wrapped up in one,” stated Collins.
Hicks, going to West Point, said, “I wanted the challenge of college and be a member of the US Army.”
“As far as military, in general, I wanted to do whatever I could to serve my country,” stated Harber.
College acceptance for some may not seem like a challenge; however, according to U.S. News and World Report, only 9.9% of students are accepted to the Air Force Academy while the West Point web site reports only 1,183 of over 15,000 applicants being accepted.
While many others here at Germantown have been working anxiously on regular college applications, these three have been put through the ultimate test to even be considered acceptance: a physical fitness test, a background and police record check and multiple rounds of interviews along with the normal academic record and transcript report.
“The application process for the military academies are based off of 4 things: character, athletics, academics and military,” stated Collins.
While this aspect of a well-rounded student seems to be a requirement for these military academies, Hicks, Collins, and Harber, all presently in the International Baccalaureate Program here at Germantown, see the difference their preparation has made.
“IB has definitely prepared me for this as far as the workload because they’re going to be pretty similar,” Harber stated.
Harber also attributes his decision to family tradition.
“It all came down to between Air force and Navy and I felt as though Air Force had better career paths; my dad graduated from Naval Academy so I was exposed to the military lifestyle at a pretty young age and I always knew I wanted to do what he did,” stated Harber.
Collins also found that his decision was based on his family background.
“My dad molded my work ethic and took me to greater heights and has always just been influential in making sure that I’m trying my hardest and doing my best work. He was in the army so I had military influence my whole life, ” stated Collins.
Having a background may help to make the decision and gaining acceptance is a remarkable achievement, yet making the transition serves as the next obstacle for these students.
“The worst part is going to be transitioning from the lifestyle now to my new lifestyle,” Harber states.
However, Hicks stated that he is not nervous at all about this next big step, but is curious to see where life will take him. Collins stated that he would leave the day after graduation if possible.
As these young men do get about month of summer break before they leave for training, their free time will be limited once they reach campus.
You have absolutely no free time,” Collins said.
“Not even on weekend!” added Hicks.
Also, for six weeks- 42 long days- they are to have no form of communication of any kind- including cell phones, a lifestyle change for many. The six-week change also includes day-to-day changes.
“I would say the most differences is that you wake up at 5:30 am for about 6 weeks, do a lot of workouts, and they basically work you throughout the entire day. You have leadership classes but you must maintain physical fitness; then you have military activities such as marches and parades. Basically you don’t have free time at any given moment,” stated Harber.
So this summer, when everyone is relaxing out by the pool or chilling with not a care in the world, remember that these three guys are working really hard to serve something greater than themselves: serving our co
Danny Collins, Drew Hicks, and Grayson Harber- three guys you’ve probably seen rushing through the halls to get to one of their IB classes- but these 3 guys have set out to pursue so much more after their high school careers. Collins and Harber have accepted appointment into the Air Force Military academy in Colorado Springs, while Hicks has accepted appointment into West Point Military Academy in Highland Falls, New York.
“I wanted a world class education and serve the United States and also I get the chance to play college baseball, so [Air force was] the perfect package all wrapped up in one,” stated Collins.
Hicks, going to West Point, said, “I wanted the challenge of college and be a member of the US Army.”
“As far as military, in general, I wanted to do whatever I could to serve my country,” stated Harber.
College acceptance for some may not seem like a challenge; however, according to U.S. News and World Report, only 9.9% of students are accepted to the Air Force Academy while the West Point web site reports only 1,183 of over 15,000 applicants being accepted.
While many others here at Germantown have been working anxiously on regular college applications, these three have been put through the ultimate test to even be considered acceptance: a physical fitness test, a background and police record check and multiple rounds of interviews along with the normal academic record and transcript report.
“The application process for the military academies are based off of 4 things: character, athletics, academics and military,” stated Collins.
While this aspect of a well-rounded student seems to be a requirement for these military academies, Hicks, Collins, and Harber, all presently in the International Baccalaureate Program here at Germantown, see the difference their preparation has made.
“IB has definitely prepared me for this as far as the workload because they’re going to be pretty similar,” Harber stated.
Harber also attributes his decision to family tradition.
“It all came down to between Air force and Navy and I felt as though Air Force had better career paths; my dad graduated from Naval Academy so I was exposed to the military lifestyle at a pretty young age and I always knew I wanted to do what he did,” stated Harber.
Collins also found that his decision was based on his family background.
“My dad molded my work ethic and took me to greater heights and has always just been influential in making sure that I’m trying my hardest and doing my best work. He was in the army so I had military influence my whole life, ” stated Collins.
Having a background may help to make the decision and gaining acceptance is a remarkable achievement, yet making the transition serves as the next obstacle for these students.
“The worst part is going to be transitioning from the lifestyle now to my new lifestyle,” Harber states.
However, Hicks stated that he is not nervous at all about this next big step, but is curious to see where life will take him. Collins stated that he would leave the day after graduation if possible.
As these young men do get about month of summer break before they leave for training, their free time will be limited once they reach campus.
You have absolutely no free time,” Collins said.
“Not even on weekend!” added Hicks.
Also, for six weeks- 42 long days- they are to have no form of communication of any kind- including cell phones, a lifestyle change for many. The six-week change also includes day-to-day changes.
“I would say the most differences is that you wake up at 5:30 am for about 6 weeks, do a lot of workouts, and they basically work you throughout the entire day. You have leadership classes but you must maintain physical fitness; then you have military activities such as marches and parades. Basically you don’t have free time at any given moment,” stated Harber.
So this summer, when everyone is relaxing out by the pool or chilling with not a care in the world, remember that these three guys are working really hard to serve something greater than themselves: serving our co