Answering the call
Courtesy photos Pictured from the top are Ethan Tomcyzk and Shea Curran, and in the bottom photo Angel Beier receives her certificate of appointment from Major. Craig Petersen. All three students received scholarships or appointments for post high school military education.
Local trio to join military academies following appointments and scholarships
KELLOGG — Three Kellogg High School students took the next step in pursuing their futures in the United States Armed Forces after receiving several high profile appointments and scholarships.
Class of 2020 members Angel Beier and Ethan Tomcyzk had been nominated for appointments to military academies by Idaho legislators earlier this year, Beier was nominated for the Air Force Academy, while Tomcyzk was nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy.
Beier received her appointment to Air Force Academy (AFA), where she will receive a world-class education that will prepare her for a career as a pilot, engineer, cyber specialist or a space operation officer.
Beier was a four-year member of Kellogg High School Marine Corps JROTC Program. The appointment she received to the AFA is worth $450,000.
Tomcyzk was the JROTC cadet commanding officer this last school year, and was selected to receive a Navy Option Scholarship.
He plans on attending the University of Idaho for the first year and then to transfer his scholarship to the University of Washington, as both schools have established Naval ROTC programs.
While in school, he will use the $180,000 scholarship to pursue a Tier 1 major in chemical, general or mechanical engineering.
The NROTC Program was established to develop midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, and loyalty, and with the core values of honor, courage and commitment in order to commission college graduates as naval officers who possess a basic professional background, are motivated toward careers in the naval service, and have a potential for future development in mind and character so as to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.
KHS 2019 graduate Shea Curran also received her appointment this year as well.
Curran was the former cadet commanding officer of the KHS MCJROTC, and was given a scholarship last spring to attend a prep school in New Mexico to prepare her for the rigorous education at the service academies.
She was given a certificate of appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy located in Kings Point, N.Y.
The USMM Academy educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, Marine transportation, and economic needs of the U.S. as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.
Her appointment is worth $450,000.
Senior Marine Instructor Major Craig Petersen was pleased with his cadets’ dedication to serving their country, as well as the hard work and perseverance that was shown during what has been an odd year for all students.
“SgtMaj. Jeff Smith and I are extremely proud of these individuals for their accomplishments, as these appointments are extremely competitive,” Major Petersen said. “The Kellogg High School MCJROTC program has had a very exciting close to the 2019-20 school year despite the challenges we as a school and community are enduring during this coronavirus period. It’s been fun to see them grow both physically and mentally over the last few years.”