Vickers receives appointment to U.S. Naval Academy
WARSAW – River View High School’s annual academic achievement awards ceremony on May 19 ended with a very special recognition for senior Sam Vickers.
After graduation, Vickers will move on to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
“I’ve been interested in it for a real long time now,” he said. “I looked at all the academies, but last summer I got to go to a seminar there and felt like this is where God wanted me to be.”
Vickers appointment to the academy was announced at the RVHS ceremony by Carla R. Dowling-Fitzpatrick, United States Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer. She shared with the students at RVHS that the U.S. Naval Academy is not your typical four year college.
“Since 1845 we have been developing midshipmen into effective junior officers who lead sailors and marines,” Dowling-Fitzpatrick said. “We develop them morally, mentally and physically.”
When Vickers graduates from the academy he will have a bachelor of science and be commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy or the Marines.
Getting into the academy is not easy. Dowling-Fitzpatrick said about 16,000 applied and only 1,300 received appointments to the class of 2020. The process of enrollment includes a nomination from your Congressman or Senator, a medical exam and physical fitness evaluation on top of having your transcripts reviewed.
“We look for well-rounded individuals who have leadership potential and are willing to accept responsibility,” Dowling-Fitzpatrick said.
She also has the pleasure of interviewing U.S. Naval Academy candidates.
“I was very impressed with Sam,” Dowling-Fitzpatrick said. “There is no question that he is brilliant, unique and gifted and will be an asset to the United States Navy.”
Sam, the son of Jeff Vickers and Christy Vickers, plans to major in nuclear engineering.
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