By Vern Hee

The long process of applying for the military service academies for Angelica McNerny and Amanda Head, two PVHS senior athletes, started their freshman years. This is when they decided that they both wanted to apply.

McNerny is the Trojans Junior ROTC battalion commander and Head is the executive officer of the battalion.

The long road is now coming to a close.

The two students passed another milestone in accomplishing their dreams. During the winter break, they were both notified that they both received a congressional nomination for the service academies they want to attend.

Head wants to attend the Naval Academy or West Point. McNerny would like to attend either the Air Force Academy or the Naval Academy.

Head was called on the phone on Dec. 21 by a congressional aide of Congressman Mark Amodei of Nevada’s first district.

“I was out horseback riding. When I returned I was told I had missed his call. His office called me back at 1 p.m.,” she said. Head was still excited and it will take her a few more days to come down from all the joy she felt at securing a nomination.

McNerny received a letter from Sen. Harry Reid over the weekend saying she had received a nod from the highest ranking member of the U.S. Senate.

Each girl received one nomination, “You have to have the nomination to get in. The congressional nomination narrows it down even more and now the service academies will choose from that nomination pool,” said Head.

Each of the congressmen from Nevada can nominate 10 applicants. There are three congressman and two senators in Nevada who can nominate.

McNerny believes they will now hear from the service academy of their choice sometime in the spring. Head agrees, she said the actual application process is not even over until Feb. 1.

“All your stuff must be in by Feb. 1. After that they narrow it down and start choosing. I am so stressed, so I am doing a lot of horseback riding now,” Head said.

McNerny said the stress for her never really goes away. She draws a lot and concentrates on school to get by.

“It is always in the back of my head. Even if you are relaxed and calm doing something that you like, it is always there. You just have to remember that whatever happens, happens, and even if you do not get accepted you will find your way to accomplish your dreams,” she said.