Local sets sights on Naval Academy

SANDPOINT — While many high school seniors are awaiting a college acceptance letter from their top university, others are anticipating a nomination to one of the nation’s military academies.  

Unlike other institutions, students seeking admission into four of the five academies are required to receive a nomination from their respective senator or congressman to be accepted, Lillian Richardson said.

Richardson, a senior at Sandpoint High School, was recently nominated by  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, for the U.S. Naval Academy.  Risch announced the 44 nominations to service academies for the upcoming 2024 to 2025 school year last week.

Throughout the past year, Richardson said she has been busy completing all the necessary application steps.

“Nomination applications include multiple essays, transcripts, letters of recommendations, and an interview through the process,” Richardson said. “To be accepted, the applications also require a medical evaluation.”

Applicants also take a physical fitness test. For the Air Force and Naval Academy, the test consists of the mile, pull-ups, shuttle runs, basketball throws, and push-ups. Each element is worth 100 points out of a possible 500, she said. While a specific score isn't required, officials factor in an applicant’s athletic performance when making decisions. Students also must reach a certain standard when they arrive for their first day of school, she said.

Until she started considering post-secondary options two years ago, Richardson was unsure what school she would like to attend and only slightly sure about a choice of major.

“I have always been extremely active and involved in many different sports and clubs,” she said. “I love school — especially my math — and hands-on science classes. When talking to my family and the SHS school counselors, I first determined that I wanted to be challenged not just academically, but also physically and mentally.”

Richardson paired those interests with her desire to serve her country.

“It was important that I find an environment where others share my desire for rigor,” she said. “Once I formulated those parameters, I realized that the military academies would be a great opportunity for me.”

Richardson said she plans to study mechanical engineering and hopes to focus on airplane structures and learning how to build them. 

“Thanks to the incredible program at SHS that allows students to work in their desired field in internships, I discovered a love of building things with my hands and all things aerospace,” she said. “I am definitely keeping my options open with regard to any hands-on opportunities or specific career decisions and waiting to see where God leads me on my journey.”

In her last 12 years of school, Richardson said she has learned that few valuable things can be accomplished alone.

“The efforts of multiple people using their skills for the same end will almost always result in a superior product than any one person can accomplish individually,” she said. “It is because of the opportunities that I had and people who worked with me and on my behalf, that I was able to receive my nominations and appointments. The nomination process has been grueling.”

She said she couldn’t have made it this far without a community full of people who have offered support, encouragement, and direction. She thanked her teachers at SHS who went above and beyond what was required to help her succeed.

“My counselor, Jeralyn Mire, helped me meet deadlines, solve problems, and make important contacts,” she said. “My cross country and basketball coaches have given me countless hours of their attention and helped me evolve my teamwork skills, leadership, and perseverance. Ken Larson opened my eyes to aviation, Mr. [Jacob] Stark showed me how to use my hands to weld and build amazing creations, Mr. [Mike] Martz and Mr. [Troy] Minogue advanced my love of math and sciences, as well as everyone at Granite Aviation and Z-Aero who have helped me get hands-on experience and solidify my love of all things Aerospace. Without all of these people, and more, I would not have these incredible opportunities. Thank you to all of the people in our community who offer themselves in ways that often go unrecognized. Seemingly little contributions add up to make incredible differences.”

Nominees like Richardson were selected from dozens of applicants throughout Idaho applying for the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; the Military Academy in Westpointe, N.Y.; the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. Now the four academies will now consider these students for final selection.

“These 44 Idahoans are exemplary students who are committed to selflessly serving our nation and defending our freedoms,” Risch said. “Their leadership, character, and academic promise make each of these young men and women a phenomenal fit to attend one of our nation’s service academies. I commend each of them for the accomplishments they have already earned, and I look forward to seeing their continued success.”