Four Valley students nominated

Hopefuls pursue U.S. service academies

By DANIEL SPOTH-Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU -- As senior high school students around the Valley check their mailboxes for acceptance letters from colleges and weigh their options for post-secondary study, four seniors in particular are crossing their fingers in anticipation and apprehension. These students have been nominated for study at one of four United States service academies, and hope to stand among only five people from the state selected to attend these institutions.

In order to attend one of the four U.S. academies, prospective students must be nominated by either a member of Congress or the academy's governing department.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced her 2004 nominations to the four academies earlier this month, selecting 10 Alaska students to attend the Air Force, Naval and Merchant Marine academies, and 20 students to attend the Military Academy at West Point. Four Valley students were among the nominees.

On the list are Barriane Perkins of Wasilla, Sarah Brettrager of Palmer, Michelle Shones of Wasilla, and Greg Bottom of Houston.

For each of the four academies, at least one of the nominated candidates will be appointed. Murkowski had two openings for appointments at West Point, so 20 Alaska students were nominated.

"It will be a very good year for the academies," said Pat Heller at Murkowski's office. "The senator had a significant number of applications from outstanding, high-caliber Alaskan students. We can all be proud of these students who are clearly committed to their country."

Perkins, a senior at Colony High School, has been active in numerous sports including cross-country running, cross-country skiing, and track and field, as well as varsity cheerleading. Outside of school, she participates in drama, music and choir, and has performed in such prestigious locations as the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Sydney Opera House, and Preservation Hall in New Orleans.

Perkins received nominations to the Air Force Academy from both Murkowski and Don Young.

"It has been my long-term goal and dream to not only attend the Academy, but succeed and be able to offer my talents and strength in whatever way I can," Perkins wrote in her application statement.

Perkins hopes to major in organic chemistry or engineering at the academy, and one day pursue either graduate studies at Johns Hopkins Medical School or work on an Air Force aircraft freighter.

Perkins stated that her father, Barry Perkins, was instrumental in applying for the Academy nomination.

"Whenever I even mention that I'm interested in something, he runs off and researches it for me right away," she said.

Perkins is the only high school student ever to receive VPA's Best Actress of the Year Award, and has also received Alaska Spirit of Youth and Presidential Fitness awards.

Brettrager is a senior at Colony High School, and was nominated to the Air Force Academy by Murkowski and Ted Stevens. A star of the swimming team, she has lettered for four straight years in the sport, holds four school swimming records and two regional records, and was named Region 3 Swimmer of the Year in 2001. At all-state swimming meets during her four years at Colony High, she has placed in the top five competitors.

Brettrager is uncertain about her major should she enter the Air Force Academy, and admits that her distant future is still up in the air, so to speak. But she does know that she wants to attain a position of leadership.

"The whole atmosphere and idea of being an officer interests me," she said. "I want to be a leader."

Brettrager credits her teachers and swim coaches for her successes, who originally recommended that she apply to the Academy. "They helped me strive to be my best and excel," she said.

Greg Bottom of Houston High School was nominated to the Naval Academy by Murkowski and Don Young. Bottom spends his scant amount of free time working at Carrs and participating in school theater productions. His most recent involvement is the role of Prince Charming in a parodic school play that combines "Cinderella" and "Fight Club." Bottom described his character as "handsome, but not too bright."

The same could hardly be said of Bottom himself, who is a regular honor roll student. Though he has no existing plans for his academic intentions should he enter the academy, he is certain that he will concentrate fully on completing the rest of his high school career to the best of his abilities.

Bottom names his uncle, an officer in the Navy, and the movie "Top Gun" as motivators for his decision to apply to the Academy. A September visit to his uncle, whom he affectionately calls "Papa Jack," cemented the idea in his mind.

Also nominated for the Air Force and Military academies was Zachary Mierva of Palmer, who is currently a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Michelle Shones of Houston High School also received a nomination to the Naval Academy from Murkowski, but could not be reached for comments.

"We received a high number of appointment requests this year from really qualified Alaskan applicants," Murkowski stated in a press release. "It is unfortunate that there is such a limited number of vacancies, as all of the nominees have the makings of successful service men and women.

"These are well-balanced young men and women, both scholastically and personally, and they have achieved excellent test scores. I have the utmost confidence that those selected for appointment will represent Alaska with dignity and honor in the Armed Forces."