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snowieWI3

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Aug 12, 2019
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To those that commented and advised on my two previous posts, thank you very much for the thoughts. We went to our first "Service Academy Day" about an hour away from us this morning and it was a great thing to attend - we learned a ton of useful information! My daughter was very well received and felt she was being taken seriously in her answers and what she had to say about future goals. While I parked, she went in on her own and it was a little bit of time before I was able to join up with her (had to get my other two younger kids settled). Finally when I found her she was doing great, talking on her own to various adults without hiding behind or waiting for me. We only hit the USNA, USCGA & the USMMA tables as these are her main focus (USCGA being her top choice). Lots of great tips (leadership, leadership, leadership) & suggestions on what comes next for the process. I'm glad I found this forum as it has already been a great resource and I will continue to refer to it as we get closer to application time!

We did have one awkward moment though...at one point, my daughter was asked what is her favorite class so far & she said she couldn't choose between Pre-Calculus or Intro to Welding and was explaining why. A boy behind her (waiting his turn) chuckled at his buddy saying "gimme a break....." to which a gentleman listening to my daughter overheard & stopped her mid-sentence. He looked straight at the boy & said "son, I suggest you refrain from your comments about another. You might meet again in a few years and just might need her to tutor you so you can get through a class. I suggest you support your possible future classmate because that is what we do - we work as one" My daughter looked like she wanted to crawl under a rock and the boy was looking for an even bigger rock. It was the first time an adult didn't laugh at her interest in welding and she felt very empowered after that exchange.

Thank you again.
 
Good feedback, glad it went well, and your DD felt comfortable. She will be ready for the next one.

Let’s look forward to the day when your DD (perhaps after immersion in the leadership bath that is a SA), turns to look directly at the thoughtless commenter, pauses a beat, and coolly says, in a confident, pleasant and measured tone, peer to peer, “It is truly an interesting choice for me. What do I need to give you a break about? What are your challenges in what to take as we think about a a path to a Service Academy?” She notes the inane comment, turns it around civilly, then asks a question to take the discussion in a professional direction she directs, taking the power out of the put-down attempt. Handy technique for all kinds of situations. No rescues needed!
 
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I loved welding in High School. It was that skill that got me introduced to a dear friend of mine. He's gone now, and I don't think I would have ever known him, had I not known how to weld.
Everything we do and are exposed to, shapes us into who we are. As the Brits say, Bully for her!
 
It’s actually kind of awesome that your daughter is interested in welding. Potential engineer maybe?
 
Stealth_81 said:
Based on your username I’m thinking you may have been at the EAA Museum. I was there. You should have stopped at the USAFA table. ;)

Stealth_81
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Well, we were late getting to Oshkosh to begin with due to a early morning event so that left us with limited time. As for Air Force, she is a water & boat kid. :) Who knows, maybe next year she might be filling out an USAFA card;)
 
HB2019 said:
It’s actually kind of awesome that your daughter is interested in welding. Potential engineer maybe?
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Engineering absolutely. She is fascinated with scuba, water, engine repair (she helps my husband fix our 4 wheelers, snowmobiles & boat engines & has been waiting to take welding since she was 13. My husband introduced her to one of his work friends who does underwater welding and her eyes lit up and was totally inspired listening to his work stories. She's a math wiz and even though she's not yet 16 (and not allowed to take pre-calc/calc yet) my husband is teaching it to her at home and she really gets into it. I'm excited for her future :):)
 
NJROTC-CC said:
snowieWI3 said:
It was the first time an adult didn't laugh at her interest in welding and she felt very empowered after that exchange
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I told you that her interest in welding was great! Hey, anything that makes you stand out from the crowd and is a positive activity will help
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Standing out she does - drumline, percussion, math and welding. The gentleman at the USNA table was concerned with her lack of leadership though. Kinda hard to be a leader of a band/jazz band where the pecking order is based on seniority. Unrelated to the topic, I need to get your signature quote on a tee shirt for my nephew. He's one of those crazy ultra-marathoners!
 
snowieWI3 said:
Standing out she does - drumline, percussion, math and welding. The gentleman at the USNA table was concerned with her lack of leadership though. Kinda hard to be a leader of a band/jazz band where the pecking order is based on seniority. Unrelated to the topic, I need to get your signature quote on a tee shirt for my nephew. He's one of those crazy ultra-marathoners!
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Our Sport Is Your Sport's Punishment Cross Country T-Shirt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0178LWY6Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gJuDDbEGAXW8Z
 
Reminds me of a USNA XC tee, also a USNA Women’s Rugby tee, from a few years ago:
“Hurdle the wounded. Trample the dead.”
 
There are tons of ways to get leadership without holding ‘official titles.’ I rarely care about a candidates titles of captain, President, etc. Those are titles that come with certain responsibilities. What did they do that was unique, above and beyond, shape it, etc. I focus on that during BGO interviews. She can volunteer to lead a project for a local food bank, shelter, etc. Lots of times these places have a small project like cleaning, painting, organizing, etc. Lead a food drive. She can arrange it with the org, figure out budget, organize other peers for volunteering, lead the event. Great examples of leadership without a title. Even in band... what about leading a workshop for maybe a younger band at a local elementary school or volunteer activity as a group. She loved welding, lead a workshop that partners kids with the local welding union to show its career opportunities. There are tons of ways to get leadership... just don’t think the traditional paths. I think her interests show a well rounded set of skills and makes her stand out! If she enjoyed the water also look at USMMA... lots if unique opportunities there. Good luck to her!
 
snowieWI3 said:
Engineering absolutely. She is fascinated with scuba, water, engine repair (she helps my husband fix our 4 wheelers, snowmobiles & boat engines & has been waiting to take welding since she was 13. My husband introduced her to one of his work friends who does underwater welding and her eyes lit up and was totally inspired listening to his work stories. She's a math wiz and even though she's not yet 16 (and not allowed to take pre-calc/calc yet) my husband is teaching it to her at home and she really gets into it. I'm excited for her future :):)
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Good on her, hopefully she gets into a service academy within the next couple of years.
 
I had to laugh when I read about your daughter and welding, only because she sounds just like my daughter. I am glad your DD is considering USMMA. My daughter is USMMA class of 21. She has gotten pretty darn good at welding. It is a required part of the curriculum. Even though she is a deck major, my DD did quite a bit of welding aboard ship during sea year. Pretty cool to be able to fix broken stuff in the middle of a winter storm in the North Sea. Let me know if you or she have any USMMA questions. Good luck during the application process.
 
I always wanted to take an engineering or shop class at my HS but I never had the space in my schedule! :(
 
I love that she had a good first experience with an academy seminar. I love hearing about kids with varied interests. Our son convinced his dad last winter to build a forge. So, they constructed a forge and then our son built (using welding skills) a pneumatic hammer. It is so dang loud when he is using it. We are on an acre but I keep waiting for the sheriff to show up at 11 on a Friday night and ask about the God awful noise. He enjoys it, researches new things to make and different fuels to get the forge to the right temperature. I think kids who do what interests them, despite what might be considered 'social norms' are strong kids who follow their interests, not the lemmings. Good luck to her!
 
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