MFHS senior surprised in class by U.S. congressman
U.S. Rep. Roger Williams visited Marble Falls High School Tuesday to surprise senior Marshall Jett with a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy. A nomination is required for appointment to the academy.
By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula
It took Marble Falls High School senior Marshall Jett “about 3 seconds” to figure out he was the one being surprised in class with a visit from U.S. Representative Roger Williams, District 25, on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Williams presented Jett with a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy, paving the way to Colorado Springs and a career as a pilot and astronaut. No appointment (or admission) to the Academy can be made without a nomination from the president, vice president, a congressman, and for certain military affiliations, according to the Air Force Academy website.
“I was a little freaked out at first,” Jett said. “I wasn’t expecting a bunch of people to walk through the door.”
Jett said he felt “relieved, not under as much stress now.”
Williams pointed out that “with a name like Jett, there’s nowhere else to go but the Air Force Academy.” In front of the class, Williams made sure Jett could say “Beat Army” and “Beat Navy” with alacrity.
The primary way to get into the Air Force Academy is through a congressional nomination. Jett applied and went through an interview process before a congressional board consisting of retired members of the military, explained John Etue, district director for Williams. “They perform the interview, score it and make their recommendation,” he said.
“We have a lot of kids apply from this district,” Etue said.
Although Jett will not know until March whether he will be donning a blue cadet’s uniform, “he has a good opportunity with this nomination,” Etue said.
For the full story, see Friday's Highlander. For a photo of the presentation, visit our Facebook page.
