G.I. KRISTA

By Carolyn Bedrosian '98 and Carol Garvan '98
"You worthless, good-for-nothing piece of scum! You're useless! You're weak! You can't handle it!" Krista Emmet recently endured a week of mental testing and physical training at the United States Summer Seminar Program in Annapolis. Unlike many of her fellow trainees, Krista could handle it. At the close of the week, Krista was named Outstanding Female Candidate to the US Naval Academy.

Although the program is oriented toward science and engineering, "it's really just to see if you can handle all the challenges of the Academy," Krista explained. "It's a mock Naval Academy experience." Aspiring cadets begin their day at the Academy with a 5:30 A.M. physical training session. After 45 minutes of running, sit-ups and push-ups, students line up in formation for breakfast. During the week, each student performs a physical aptitude test consisting of pull-ups, sit-ups, a shuttle run, and a basketball throw. Needless to say, Krista met and surpassed the standards of the Academy.

In addition to physical hardship, students are forced to withstand mental and emotional degradation. During "plebe indoctrination," Krista stood a few inches from an officer shouting insults and criticisms at her. "It's to test how well you react under pressure," Krista explained. "You have to remember your rank, from the President down to yourself. A lot of people broke down and cried."

But the Seminar Program wasn't all sit-ups and shouting. After breakfast each day, students attended scientific seminars to explore the Academy's educational facilities and meet professors. Krista talked with professors one-on-one, checked out the physics and chemistry laboratories, and received briefings on career opportunities out of Annapolis.

Because the Seminar Programs are led by midshipmen, students have the chance to ask questions of current Naval Academy students. "It's great, because you can ask them things you wouldn't ask an Admissions Officer," Krista noted. Seminar attendees also have the opportunity to socialize with people from across the country, through events such as intermural volleyball.

Seminar attendees are specially chosen as students which the Naval Academy would like to attract. Krista was selected as one of 900 students to attend the Seminar Program out of a field of 6000 applicants. She started to prepare her application more than a year before the program began, compiling SAT scores, extracurriculars and academic transcripts. The admissions process, difficult for anyone, is even more complex for Naval Academy applicants.

"It's a very complicated process," said Dean of Girls Alice Mary Honeycutt. "Each application is in quadruple. It has to go to congressmen, Annapolis admissions, and the Navy swim coach." After years of preparation, Krista's hard work has finally paid off. Yelled at and worked to exhaustion, Krista remained energetic and determined, as always.