Fork Union, VA - February 28, 2008 - Members of the Class of 2008 at Fork Union
Military Academy have garnered seven appointments to the nation's service
academies, the highest number of academy appointments in recent memory. Four
students will be attending the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. Two
students have received appointments to the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis,
and one student will attend the U. S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Class of 2008 Service Academy Appointments
- Jeremy Haney of Palmyra,
VA, United
States Naval Academy
- Andrew Myers of Bristow,
VA, United States
Military Academy
- Akeriam Reames of Glen
Allen, VA, United States
Air Force Academy
- Sam Reisenfeld of
Fredericksburg, VA, United
States Naval Academy
- Thomas Smith of Chapel
Hill, NC, United
States Military Academy
- Dan Tucker of Palmyra, VA, United States
Military Academy
- Brian Zitterkopf of Pace,
FL, United
States Military Academy
The Service Academies are colleges created and supported by
the United States government to prepare and train graduates for military and
military-related service. These elite academies are highly selective and have
the lowest acceptance rate of any college in the nation, lower than Harvard,
Stanford, or Princeton. Typically, fewer than 10% of applicants are accepted
for admission. The Service Academies are academically demanding, with an
emphasis on technology, engineering, and history.
As part of the very competitive admission process,
applicants must secure a nomination from their Congressman, Senator, the
Vice-President, or the President of the United States. Applicants must meet
high standards for academic achievement, be physically fit, and exhibit good
character.
(left to right) Thomas Smith, Sam Reisenfeld, Jeremy Haney, Brian Zitterkopf, Andrew Myers
(not pictured: Dan Tucker, Akeriam Reames)
These seven FUMA cadets will not have to worry about the
cost of student loans, as their entire college education is paid for by the U.
S. government. The value of each academy appointment is estimated as equivalent
to a scholarship of $325,000, meaning that these seven cadets have jointly
received over $2.2 million in college scholarship grants.
In addition, they already have a job lined up upon
graduation. Students at these military academies are on active duty in the
Armed Forces of the United States from the day they enter the school, and are
committed to serve at least five years in active duty service upon completion
of their college education and three years of service in the reserves.
While Fork Union Military Academy sends students to elite
college programs and military academies each year, these seven service academy
appointments are the most for a single year in recent memory.
FUMA Service Academy Appointments by Class Year
2008: 7
2007: 1
2006: 3
2005: 5
2004: 4
2003: 4
