Soaring with the eagles
Published on June 11th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - During the lull period when most college bound students worry about obtaining television sets, VCRs and refrigerators to furnish their cramped dorm rooms, two graduating seniors from Stoneham look forward to abandoning those creature-comforts for a more regimented lifestyle.
Stoneham High School Senior Mary Zinnel and Malden Catholic High School Senior Mark McNaughton will both attend the United States Air Force Academy this upcoming fall.
Although all college applications may seem tedious at times, acceptance into the Air Force Academy has many stringent requirements, including a Presidential or US Senatorial nomination, fulfillment of physical and medical examinations, and a full criminal background check. The average student accepted into the elite military academy scores a 1400 on their SAT's and graduates from high school with a 3.9 GPA.
While both students admit they'll miss the luxuries of a civilian lifestyle, the two spoke of a sense of duty that pushes them toward a military life.
"I was kind of nervous at first, but my Junior history teacher Dana Abizaid instilled a sense of pride in my country," said McNaughton, who commented that learning about America's history made him think about ways he could help his country.
"After the class was over, I felt like I owed something back and I figured the military would be the best for me," added McNaughton, who thinks he will miss sleeping-in the most.
Echoing sentiments similar to McNaughton, Zinnel remarked that she has long wished to serve her country like her father, Retired Air Force Major William Zinnel.
"I want to serve my country and serve all the principals that the U.S. stands for...All my life I've grown up with an Air Force lifestyle with my Dad. I took my own self-initiative, but he's influenced me a lot," said Zinnel, who added that she will miss civilian clothes the most.
Zinnel, who first started getting serious about attending the military academy when she was a freshman in high school, will also have the distinction of becoming the first woman from Stoneham High School to attend the military academy.
Asked how she felt about the honor, Zinnel hoped that her entry would open the door for future female applicants.
"It's a good feeling. I hope I set the precedent for other families. It will be interesting to see down the road how many applicants are from Stoneham," Zinnel said.
While Zinnel is very aware that she will enter a male dominated environment that has at times treated female cadets harshly, she has little fear that she will not fit in.
"I know in light of the sex scandals that it would make sense for me to be nervous, but I think they've implemented several changes that will make it easier for females to assimilate into a male-dominated environment," Zinnel said confidently.
And although both future Air Force Academy cadets realize that they have a long and tough four years ahead of them, they can't wait for the experience.
"It's going to be the most difficult thing I've done in my life and after it's done, especially the first year, it's going to be such an accomplishment," said McNaughton.
"You look at other civilian colleges and you realize your friends aren't going to experience this. It's definitely going to be an amazing feeling of accomplishment once I graduate," added Zinnel.
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