We Salute You
Please join us in congratulating these exemplary students from Seminole County Public Schools who have recently been accepted into military academies
Getting into college is no easy task, and admission into a United States Armed Forces educational institution is even more difficult. Acceptance rates at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, and the U.S. Air Force Academy outside Colorado Springs, Colorado, hover at a mere 7 to 14 percent.
In addition to having a near-perfect grade point average and stellar résumé, students must obtain a congressional nomination. And even after securing a nomination, only about one in five is offered an appointment. Physical fitness is also key – students must pass a test called the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) to be considered for admission.
This year, several Class of 2026 seniors from Seminole County Public Schools have committed to attending a U.S. Armed Forces service academy. These highly accomplished students will dedicate their studies and career to serving their country.
Briana Hall
Briana Hall knew she wanted to attend the U.S. Naval Academy after she attended its Summer Seminar program.
“This was an event where incoming high school seniors could spend a week at the Academy to see what life is like,” says Briana, an 18-year-old from Longwood. “From the first day, I fell in love with USNA and knew that was where I belonged.”
Briana enjoys a challenge, and she certainly challenged herself at Lake Mary High School, graduating summa cum laude, working, and playing four years of varsity basketball – serving as captain for three. She also played two years of varsity lacrosse. Briana was voted by her teachers to be in the Math Hall of Fame and held officer positions in National English Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. She was also a member of Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society and National Honor Society and had the highest grade point average of all senior female athletes.
She plans to pursue a degree in nuclear engineering and commission as part of the Navy’s Civil Engineering Corps.
Ryan Bauer
Ryan Bauer was a member of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) at Seminole High School, earning the Daedalian Award, the American Legion General Military Excellence Award, the Military Order of World Wars Award, and the Top Performer Award. He also was a member of the AFJROTC Raider Team.
An 18-year-old from Sanford, Ryan earned the Flight Academy Scholarship, which allowed him to secure his private pilot’s license last summer.
While at Seminole, he was a member of Bokey Student Ambassadors and played junior varsity and varsity volleyball for three years. He graduated summa cum laude and took dual enrollment classes at Seminole State College. He also received the Military Officer Association of America Scholarship (MOAA).
“I chose to attend the Air Force Academy because of the opportunities offered, the experiences I will gain, and the doors that will be opened as a result,” says Ryan, who plans to major in aerospace engineering.
Adds Ryan, “I can earn a highly rated education while also gaining leadership skills and exposure to military lifestyle. I will also be on track to achieve my future goals for my career. I hope to be a fighter pilot for the Air Force like my grandfather, so the Air Force Academy was the easy choice for me in getting there.”