Senior year of high school is a roller coaster of emotions for most teenagers. Not quite an adult, but no longer a child. The year is filled with decisions, many of which can have a huge impact on the path your life takes once you pass through the halls of high school for the last time.
In addition to school work, many students have extracurricular activities or jobs that take up much of their free time, but most still have time to enjoy their last fleeting moments before adult responsibilities take hold completely. Holly Springs High School graduate, Valerie Smith, is in many ways a typical teenager, but her story goes a bit beyond that of a typical high school senior.
Starting at a very young age, Valerie had a passion for gymnastics. Both her mother and sister are former gymnasts so she was introduced to gym life right from the beginning. “I’ve always been in the gym and it has definitely been my choice to stay with it,” she said. Although she is extremely modest when talking about her gymnastics accomplishments, at 18 years old, Valerie is a level 10 gymnast, the highest level possible in the Junior Olympic Program, and has trained with Sonshine Gymnastics in Holly Springs for the last 10 years. She trains more than 20 hours per week and has nothing but love and admiration for those that have been beside her every step of the way. Coaches John Thorpe and Terri Smith of Sonshine Gymnastics hold a special place in Valerie’s heart.
Valerie competes in a variety of exercises including floor, beam, vault and bars, but when asked which is her favorite she said “Bars, because it just comes easy to me.”
The bars may not be the only thing that comes easy to Valerie. In January of this year, she was able to graduate early from Holly Spring High School after taking the necessary courses to get the credits she needed. “I was already ahead in school, so I just had to take senior English and Civics to get what I needed to graduate,” she said. For most teens, graduating early might mean more free time before college to sleep late, spend time with friends and possibly early some extra spending money, but not for Valerie. She wakes up at 5:30am each morning in order to get to her nanny job in time to take one of the two children she watches to school. She then watches the younger sibling until mid-afternoon. Once she is finished with her nanny duties, she changes gear and heads to the gym to practice until 8:30pm, every day. This may seem like an overwhelming schedule for the most committed adult, let alone an eighteen-year old girl, but rest assured, all of her dedication and commitment has not been done in vain.
As
a sophomore in high school, Valerie began to think about where she wanted to pursue her college education, and she turned her sights on the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). When asked why, out of all the schools she could have chosen, she picked the Air Force Academy, she said, “When I was looking at schools that I wanted to pursue, gymnastics-wise as well, I didn’t want to go to a school where gymnastics would be my main focus. Education was definitely more important.” With a family connection to the Air Force, she has witnessed first-hand the opportunities that are available through The Academy.
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stablished in 1954, the United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has a rich history in providing the US Air Force with “officers dedicated to upholding the high standards of their profession.” According to the information given by the United States Air Force Academy’s webpage, the Academy has graduated over 37,000 officers intent on serving their country.
In addition to its high caliber of education and discipline that Valerie was looking for, the Air Force Academy is the only military academy that has a women’s gymnastics team. Once she realized that she could pursue both her academic career as well as continue her passion for gymnastics, Valerie took the next step to making her dream a reality. Valerie knew the first thing she needed to do was to get someone to come and take a look at what she had to offer on the mat, the rest would come later. During her sophomore year at Holly Springs High School, coach Douglas Day of the USAFA women’s gymnastics team came to watch Valerie practice, and he clearly liked what he saw. After reviewing her videos and watching her in person once, Coach Day offered Valerie a spot on the team that same night. “My mom and I went to dinner with him [Coach Day] and when he said he wanted me, we both just started crying,” she said. For most student athletes, once they are given an offer and they make a verbal commitment, the question of where they are going to school has been answered, but for Valerie, the work was just beginning.
For those not familiar with the Air Force Academy, there are only five United States Service Academies: The US Military Academy in West Point, NY; The US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; The US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT and the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. The application process for any military academy is unlike that for any state or private university. In addition to the standard information that most universities require, such as class ranking, class size, grade point average and test scores, the USAFA requires a 10-step process in order to be considered as a cadet. This 10 step process starts after Valerie had received the verbal offer to join the gymnastics team.
Of
these 10-steps, one of the most competitive is securing a nomination. Before being considered to the Air Force Academy, each applicant must obtain a nomination from a “legally authorized nominating entity.” There are several categories of nominations for which each candidate may be eligible, including:
Congressional
Vice Presidential
Military Affiliated
U.S. Territory
International
With a maximum of five nominations allowed per member of Congress, securing a nomination is extremely competitive. Valerie was able to secure a nomination from North Carolina Congressman George Holding.
When she leaves on June 28 to attend six weeks of basic training, Valerie will officially cross over from a civilian to a member of the military, and all of the responsibilities that go along with it. Although she knows that there are many days and nights of hard work ahead of her, she is looking forward to all that The Academy has to offer, and intends to take full advantage of every opportunity presented to her. “I’m looking forward to getting my Jump Wings,” she said. The Parachutist Badge or “Jump Wings” is awarded to cadets who complete an airmanship course, or in civilian talk, jumping out of an airplane.
In addition to her high flying gymnastics, Valerie also plans to take full advantage of the educational opportunities presented to her, including medical school. Clearly someone who thrives on adrenaline and adventure, Valerie hopes to pursue a career as a trauma surgeon after her undergraduate studies.
As a cadet, these will not merely be words on a page, but a way of living and serving and the driving force behind all that they do. There is no doubt that given Valerie’s determination and perseverance to achieve her goals, she will embody this code before ever stepping foot on the grounds of her esteemed academy. She has undoubtably made her family and friends proud, and is also on the short list of those to be considered “the pride of Holly Springs,” and a beacon of achievement for every young girl or boy who has a goal.
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