LIHUE — Two Kauai high school students were nominated as applicants to attend U.S military service academies on Wednesday. The announcement of 32 students statewide came from the office of U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI). If selected to attend any
LIHUE — Two Kauai high school students were nominated as applicants to attend U.S military service academies on Wednesday.
The announcement of 32 students statewide came from the office of U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI). If selected to attend any of the four academies they would become the Class of 2018.
The two students from Kauai include Kapaa High School seniors Marissa Goo and Shiloh Begley.
“I knew from the beginning what I was up against, but you can’t live without trying,” Goo said. “It is very hard, and only about 10 percent of applicants or 4,000 people are selected for all the academies.”
Goo is qualified to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. She joined the JROTC program as a sophomore and her ambitions grew after working with U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert Levoit, a West Point Field Force volunteer and JROTC senior army instructor for Kauai schools.
After assuming positions of leadership and responsibility Goo prepared for the application process by meeting physical fitness standards and taking advanced placement courses. Her path started on the ground and she worked her way up to battalion commander. Her superiors helped her to push herself to do her best.
“I was never a born leader, and I believe that leaders are made,” Goo said.
Goo was named to the National Honor Society, the Key Club, and JROTC. She competes in track, cross country, air rifle competition, tennis, and is active in community service.
Goo comes from a Navy background. Her father, Roland Goo, her uncles and cousins were all sailors. Her maternal grandfather served as an accountant for the Navy during the Second World War, and her grandmother was a WAVE nurse.
“My family supports me 100 percent,” she said.
Begley said his goals include getting a college education and to fulfill his passion is serve in the Army.
This fueled his work to qualify as an applicant to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“This allows me to get the best of both worlds and it takes the weight of financing my education off my parents,” Begley said.
Begley is not the first to serve in his family and said the idea of service was instilled in him from a young age. As far back as elementary school he dreamed of leading soldiers, protecting others and wanted his life to mean something more.
“The feeling is more excitement and I am ready to begin the life that I’ve been preparing for up to now,” Begley said.
Life on Kauai has been great, he said, but its time to prepare to leave the nest. The outdoorsy life with Kokee and the beaches has fueled his goal of becoming a U.S. Army Ranger.
“It’s high speed and exciting,” he added. “It is an elite goal but I want to reach my full potential.”
Begley is the treasurer of the KHA Student Council, the team captain on the varsity football team and a company commander in the JROTC.
He is a recipient of the Association of the United States Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Medal.
