Hi It's Me

GavinR

GavinR

Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2023
Messages
11
Hello Everyone! I've already posted a couple times on the forums, so I guess I should have done a formal introduction by now.

I'm a High School Junior in Utah, hoping to get an appointment to USAFA and become a pilot eventually. I play soccer for club and JV high school. I also wrestle for high school on and off varsity. I also have a big passion for music. I play the piano and cello, and I compete in statewide piano competitions every winter and spring. I also compose songs on piano and enter them into competitions, and I play piano in the jazz band. As far as clubs and extracurriculars go, I started a service club at my school called the Be a Good Person Club, it's something I put a lot of time and planning into every week. It is currently one of the largest and fastest growing clubs at the school, with nearly 100 active members. I'm a little proud of that. I've also done student council since freshman year, However, I am on my city government's youth council and I enjoy that a bit more. Some other things I do are Model UN, Mock Trial, DECA (marketing competition) and NHS. I work as a soccer ref in the fall and spring (It's really stressful but pays really well), a local food place in the winter, and my personal favorite, a parade announcer during the patriotic season.

I won't go into detail about my academics because I don't feel they are really necessary to convey what type of person I am, but I have a 3.99 UW GPA (my school doesn't weight GPA which is really annoying) and have taken 6 AP classes so far, planning to have 10 by the end of my senior year. I also haven't taken the ACT or SAT which I realize is a big problem but I'm working on it.

Overall, I just like to stay busy and do everything to the best of my ability. I love our country, and I've decided to serve my country all of my life whether that's through military service, public service, or just being a good citizen.

I love reading what everyone on the forum says, so If you have something to say I'll enjoy reading it. Even if it's insulting, it probably can't be worse than what the soccer moms yell at me. They always have something to say :rolleyes:
 
Welcome!

You'll find a LOT of information and more importantly, a lot of really nice people that will help, share news and information, and just "be there" for you!!
 
GavinR said:
Hello Everyone! I've already posted a couple times on the forums, so I guess I should have done a formal introduction by now.

I'm a High School Junior in Utah, hoping to get an appointment to USAFA and become a pilot eventually. I play soccer for club and JV high school. I also wrestle for high school on and off varsity. I also have a big passion for music. I play the piano and cello, and I compete in statewide piano competitions every winter and spring. I also compose songs on piano and enter them into competitions, and I play piano in the jazz band. As far as clubs and extracurriculars go, I started a service club at my school called the Be a Good Person Club, it's something I put a lot of time and planning into every week. It is currently one of the largest and fastest growing clubs at the school, with nearly 100 active members. I'm a little proud of that. I've also done student council since freshman year, However, I am on my city government's youth council and I enjoy that a bit more. Some other things I do are Model UN, Mock Trial, DECA (marketing competition) and NHS. I work as a soccer ref in the fall and spring (It's really stressful but pays really well), a local food place in the winter, and my personal favorite, a parade announcer during the patriotic season.

I won't go into detail about my academics because I don't feel they are really necessary to convey what type of person I am, but I have a 3.99 UW GPA (my school doesn't weight GPA which is really annoying) and have taken 6 AP classes so far, planning to have 10 by the end of my senior year. I also haven't taken the ACT or SAT which I realize is a big problem but I'm working on it.

Overall, I just like to stay busy and do everything to the best of my ability. I love our country, and I've decided to serve my country all of my life whether that's through military service, public service, or just being a good citizen.

I love reading what everyone on the forum says, so If you have something to say I'll enjoy reading it. Even if it's insulting, it probably can't be worse than what the soccer moms yell at me. They always have something to say :rolleyes:
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Sounds like you've got it ALL going on! Great job getting involved in your school and using your talents! Sign up for the ACT or SAT!!
 
GavinR said:
Hello Everyone! I've already posted a couple times on the forums, so I guess I should have done a formal introduction by now.

I'm a High School Junior in Utah, hoping to get an appointment to USAFA and become a pilot eventually. I play soccer for club and JV high school. I also wrestle for high school on and off varsity. I also have a big passion for music. I play the piano and cello, and I compete in statewide piano competitions every winter and spring. I also compose songs on piano and enter them into competitions, and I play piano in the jazz band. As far as clubs and extracurriculars go, I started a service club at my school called the Be a Good Person Club, it's something I put a lot of time and planning into every week. It is currently one of the largest and fastest growing clubs at the school, with nearly 100 active members. I'm a little proud of that. I've also done student council since freshman year, However, I am on my city government's youth council and I enjoy that a bit more. Some other things I do are Model UN, Mock Trial, DECA (marketing competition) and NHS. I work as a soccer ref in the fall and spring (It's really stressful but pays really well), a local food place in the winter, and my personal favorite, a parade announcer during the patriotic season.

I won't go into detail about my academics because I don't feel they are really necessary to convey what type of person I am, but I have a 3.99 UW GPA (my school doesn't weight GPA which is really annoying) and have taken 6 AP classes so far, planning to have 10 by the end of my senior year. I also haven't taken the ACT or SAT which I realize is a big problem but I'm working on it.

Overall, I just like to stay busy and do everything to the best of my ability. I love our country, and I've decided to serve my country all of my life whether that's through military service, public service, or just being a good citizen.

I love reading what everyone on the forum says, so If you have something to say I'll enjoy reading it. Even if it's insulting, it probably can't be worse than what the soccer moms yell at me. They always have something to say :rolleyes:
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Oh the soccer moms are the worst ... I am a recovering soccer mom!! Since you still have a little soccer referee career left in you might I recommend carrying lollipops and if you encounter a very vocal one you can offer her a lollipop in hopes that it will keep her mouth busy so those words can't escape! And if not .. don't be afraid to throw the yellow card! Good luck to you in this process .. the forums are chock full of helpful, kind humans!
 
Two items to add:
1) The AFA summer seminar application opens on December 1 so I suggest completing it and indicate that you desire to use it as your PCQ (as I note to my students), and
2) Start preparing for the CFA. Pull-ups and the kneeling basketball throw are unique events so start practicing. Install a pull-up bar at home and purchase a full-size men's basketball. Welcome and best of luck!
 
... questions:
* Are you a junior in HS?
* Have you applied to USNA?
* Why do you think SAT could be a problem?
* Have you prepared for SAT? Why not?
* What is your fitness levels? Pushups? Mile? Pullups? Situps?
 
severn said:
... questions:
* Are you a junior in HS?
* Have you applied to USNA?
* Why do you think SAT could be a problem?
* Have you prepared for SAT? Why not?
* What is your fitness levels? Pushups? Mile? Pullups? Situps?
Click to expand...
You can refer to this post I made just yesterday about my situation with the ACT, (the SAT is not offered anywhere near me so I'm not sure if I'll take it) severn, I believe you left two comments on that post so you might be familiar with it. I paid more than 100 dollars yesterday to register late for the December ACT, and I have studied a very minimal amount but I am studying now and taking practice tests. 👍

GavinR said:
Hey all, this my little rant about slacking, I don't have any questions, just need to get some things off my chest.

I'm a Junior, and was planning on taking the ACT in December. However, I slacked off, I never really studied, plus I had a lot of other stuff going on when school started, (that's just an excuse) and now the deadline is passed to register for the December ACT unless I pay the late fee. Now, instead of paying 60 bucks for a test, I have to pay like 100, and I haven't really studied or prepared. So I don't think I'll waste my money. But that also means that I won't have any test score to submit to the academy when it comes time to apply for summer seminar. I didn't even take the PSAT. I should have. But I was more focused on soccer, wrestling, AP classes, student council, my clubs, piano competitions, and girls to care about the ACT. I know the Academy says it doesn't matter if you went to summer seminar or not, but I still wanted that experience. My parents say I've stretched myself too thin. They don't want me to do anything military related, or even go to a good college for that matter. (they want me to be a musician) They always say "when I went to high school, I did XC my senior year, took 1 AP class, and I turned out fine!" I guess I just have a different viewpoint than them. But anyways, I need to prove them wrong. I know I can do this, so I'm gonna study whenever I can for the ACT, take it in January, and go from there.

If you read this far, thanks for listening. If you have any advice or words of wisdom I receive them with thanks. Have a good day.
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GavinR said:
You can refer to this post I made just yesterday about my situation with the ACT, (the SAT is not offered anywhere near me so I'm not sure if I'll take it) severn, I believe you left two comments on that post so you might be familiar with it. I paid more than 100 dollars yesterday to register late for the December ACT, and I have studied a very minimal amount but I am studying now and taking practice tests. 👍
Click to expand...
... so don't understand this at all... two separate posts from one person. In the "too late! rant," 7 advice from well-intentioned people were given ranging from academics to fitness. In the second post, the same shortcomings were listed without planned initiatives to correct the issues.
 
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severn said:
... so don't understand this at all... two separate posts from one person. In the "too late! rant," 7 advice from well-intentioned people were given ranging from academics to fitness. In the second post, the same shortcomings were listed without planned initiatives to correct the issues.
Click to expand...
I may not be understanding what you're saying... but I made this post as an introduction, its primary objective being to introduce myself and tell people who I am. It was not intended to be a list of my shortcomings and how I plan to improve them. If you want it, here it is. I put into consideration yours and many other people's valuable advice.

1. I have not taken the ACT or SAT
Solution- I will take the ACT in December and again until I get a score I am satisfied with. (33+)

2. I do not have a varsity letter.
Solution- I will try my best to get as far as I can in the sports that I do, solidifying a varsity wrestling position, and making the varsity soccer team.
I will also continue preparing for the CFA in order to demonstrate my physical fitness.
 
I was a volleyball ref as a young LT in Colorado Springs (DH was deployed and I was bored). Those parents were brutal too! Now I am a soccer and lacrosse mom and have a lot of appreciation for our young refs.

Good luck on you application. It is a really good idea to apply to SLE and NASS in addition to USAFASS. You never know which you'll get in to and you can take the CFA at SLE and NASS but not USAFASS. If you start bonafide CFA prep now and pass it during the summer you can check it off the list. It really helped my DS this year.
 
Welcome to the forums. It looks to me like you’ve got a lot of what USAFA is looking for in a candidate. Keep up the good work and focus on those standardized test scores.
I did want to say that it’s OK if you only want to apply to USAFA. My oldest son only applied to USAFA because that’s all he wanted. My daughter applied to both USAFA and USNA. It’s really about what YOU want. Admissions understands that.
 
GavinR said:
I love reading what everyone on the forum says, so If you have something to say I'll enjoy reading it. Even if it's insulting, it probably can't be worse than what the soccer moms yell at me. They always have something to say
Click to expand...
Having officiated multiple sports of all ages including college - the younger the players, the worse the parents tend to be. The advice provided to me when I started (which has served me well) - eject the first idiot that says something you shouldn't have to hear. No warning, no 'I can take it' - run their ass out of the complex and don't re-start the game/match until they have left the premises.

I am very much a 'specialist' and I get called to do specific games in specific leagues to help 'clean them up' The best comment I ever hear is some parent speaking to another - 'Don't say anything because that butthead will throw you out.'

Run a couple of morons - it builds character, the other parents will appreciate it and their is no risk of you not being asked to continue to officiate. 1. You sound like a good person who works hard (acknowledge your mistakes/misses) 2. There are not enough officials and certainly not enough to replace a good official that 'just won't put up with it'.

I digress, but other officiating lessons learned:

1. The more 'Christian' the school - the worse the parents (and I would consider myself a Christian)
2. Inner city schools/programs are frequently the most appreciative of your efforts.
3. The wealthier the school - the worse the parents.

Lessons learned while officiating will also be great background for your essays on dealing with adversity, high pressure situations, idiots, people older than you etc.
 
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