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Columbia Heights Senior Accepts Air Force Academy Appointment
Columbia Heights High School (CHHS) senior Marcos Ferreira has accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). More than 10,000 applications were received and Ferreira is one of 1,225 new cadets who will make up the class of 2021.
Ferreira applied to the USAFA because he felt it offered him the best start to his future “A lot of students going to Columbia Heights do not come from wealthy households,” he said. “The Air Force Academy serves as an invaluable opportunity to move past and succeed beyond that. I am a testimony that anyone in Columbia Heights can achieve just as great of success as students elsewhere.”
The senior gives thanks to his teachers and Superintendent for his selection. “I am very grateful to Daniel Honigs, Christina Anderson, Aimee Candella and Marc Jerue and Superintendent Kathy Kelly for their recommendations and help on getting me where I am today so that I will succeed in the future,” said Ferreira.
Ferreira has not declared a major, but is considering Computer Science or English. Upon graduation and commissioning, he hopes to become a pilot – a career that runs in his family. Ferreira’s father has been a commercial crop duster for 30 years in Paraguay and his brother is a U.S. Air Force pilot. His father’s great uncle was also a pilot for the Paraguayan Air Force.
"The love of aircraft runs deep in our family,” said Ferreira’s mother, Michelle. “Marcos grew up in his father’s hanger swerving his scooter between crop duster airplanes. It's hard to imagine this same little boy is heading off to the USAF Academy. The whole family has followed every step with great enthusiasm as if we were going ourselves, so when the announcement came it was like the winning the Super Bowl."
The Air Force Academy – located in Colorado Springs, Colorado – is an accredited four-year university. High school seniors offered appointments are considered some of America’s brightest students. In selecting candidates, the Academy focuses on academics, athletics, leadership and community service. Ferreira currently has a near 4.0 grade point average, excels in Honors courses, is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors and studies the Arabic language. He is an All-Conference and State swimmer and a multiple state art and writing award-winner and considered as an exceptional student leader among his peers.
Ferreira was notified of his selection March 15 by the Air Force Academy Director of Admissions.
“Marcos, you have earned a rare opportunity to participate in one of this country's finest officer training programs,” said Colonel Carolyn A.M. Benyshek. “Your previous accomplishments indicate you have the potential to meet the demands and challenges of the Academy and you should be extremely proud of your appointment as only the best of the best are so rewarded.”
Nominations to the Air Force Academy – as with West Point (Army), Annapolis (Navy and Marines) and the Coast Guard Academy – are submitted from United States Representatives, Senators or the Vice President of the United States. Ferreira was nominated by United States Representative Keith Ellison.
“One of the best parts of this job is nominating stand out high school students to our service academies – and seeing them accepted,” said Rep. Ellison. “Marcos is an exceptional student, an all-conference athlete. I can think of nobody more qualified to attend the Air Force Academy. Congratulations, Marcos and thank you for your service.”
Superintendent Kathy Kelly – who wrote a letter of recommendation for Ferreira – added, “Marcos has consistently demonstrated, as an all-around student and volunteer, that he has the focused leadership skills demanded of our nation’s Air Force.” she said. “He will succeed in every endeavor he attempts or is assigned, and he will be an outstanding cadet and officer.”
According to CHHS Principal Dan Wrobleski, Ferreira has been a strong student and leader in his school. “[Marcos] represents our community through excellence in academics and exemplifies the high school’s core values of respect, education, attitude and loyalty,” he said. “We are excited for his appointment and look forward to Marcos becoming a leader for our country.”
Ferreira is scheduled to graduate from Columbia Heights High School June 8. He will report to the Air Force Academy to start basic training June 29.