The U.S. service academies explained they are looking for leaders Sunday afternoon to a group of parents and students gathered at Woodrow Wilson High School.
Sunday was Academy Days, and about 20 prospective students and their families attended the event where members of the nation's five service academies and Reserve Officers' Training Corps explained scholarships, entrance requirements and life as a first-year student.
During an hour-long question and answer session with parents and prospective students, all members of the academies stressed attending will increase leadership skills, which can lead to exciting careers.
Members told parents if their children have leadership skills, encourage them to attend the school.
However, one parent of an academy graduate told parents to let a child decide where to attend college.
Clay Havens, 17, a student at James Monroe High School in Monroe County, said the U.S. Naval Academy is his first choice school, saying the academies are highly regarded educational institutions.
Additionally, his family has a long history of military service, a tradition he would like to continue.
Havens said the Naval Academy will also allow him to major in cyber operations in hopes of working in counter intelligence.
His parents, Don and Cindy Havens, said Sunday's program was informational, as they now know what steps need to be taken to apply for the service academies.
Standing in front of the U.S. Coast Guard table listening to an instructor were Vaughn Thacker, 17, and Bill Campbell, his guardian.
Thacker, a Princeton Senior High School student, said he attended Sunday's event to learn more about the military academies.
"The academies offer the best education," he said.
Thacker doesn't know if he will attend one, but will consider the service academies. He plans to study engineering in hopes of creating computer systems.
Campbell said the visit was informative, as he did not know some of the requirements to attend one of the military schools.
The event was sponsored by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
"It’s an honor for me to nominate young West Virginians for admission to our nation’s service academies. Academy Days are a great opportunity for students to explore the possibility of attending one of several prestigious academic institutions and meet with admissions representatives. I hope students and their families will attend these events throughout West Virginia," Capito said in a statement.
For more information on the application requirements, visit the West Virginia congressional delegation's websites at evanjenkins.house.gov,capito.senate.gov or manchin.senate.gov