Tyler Parsons is looking forward to following in the footsteps of both of his grandfathers at the academy beginning this summer.
During his college search, Cherry Hill High School East senior Tyler Parsons felt he could go to a number of universities and get a solid education.
However, Parsons was looking for something more than just a typical education.
Parsons was interested in attending the United States Naval Academy. Both of his grandfathers had served in the Navy, and Parsons was also motivated to serve his country.
“Being able to wake up every day and being safe in our country, we owe that to our troops serving our country,” Parsons said.
In January, Parsons received the news he had been waiting for: He officially received an appointment to the Naval Academy after going through a long application process.
“I’m looking forward to a whole new experience,” Parsons said. “You’re going to a brotherhood with a whole bunch of guys and girls with relationships and bonds that will never be broken.”
Parsons originally filled out a preliminary application on the academy’s website in early April. A month later, he received a letter from the academy stating he had been named as an official candidate.
Parsons has visited the academy in Annapolis, Md., three times so far. This included a visit with the cross country and track and field teams. Navy already has a Cherry Hill East alum on its track and field team. Dan Helfand, a 2015 graduate of Cherry Hill East, is a distance runner for the Midshipmen. Parsons is also a distance runner and qualified for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions for Cherry Hill East cross country the last two seasons.
Though Parsons is excited to possibly run at Navy, his greater focus is serving his country and becoming a stronger person.
“It will develop me into a strong leader to serve our country,” he said.
After becoming a candidate, Parsons began the formal application process. In addition to taking standardized tests, receiving teacher recommendations and having good grades, Parsons also had to complete an interview with the academy and pass a medical and fitness test. A Congressperson, U.S. senator or the vice president of the United States must also nominate a candidate.
Parsons said his parents, teachers and coaches helped guide him through most of the application process. His mom, Kris, said the Cherry Hill East community was a huge help throughout.
“He had a lot of guidance and support from Cherry Hill East, from the teachers to the coaches who had to give fitness tests,” Kris said.
Kris felt Parsons deserves a ton of credit, saying her son is very disciplined and involved in school. In addition to being on the cross country team, Parsons serves as president of Athletes Against Bullying and is also involved with DECA.
“He put a lot of work into it,” Kris said. “It is tons and tons of work. It’s a lot of work and you have to have a type of personality.”
“He’s always trying to do things,” she added. “You have to have the right temperament and he is very disciplined.”
Parsons completed nearly all of the application steps last fall. In November, he received a letter of assurance, meaning he would receive an appointment once he received a nomination from a local representative. On Jan. 10, Parsons finally received the news he received a nomination from Congressman Donald Norcross.
“It was real anxious,” Tyler said, “but in the end it turned out that I received the official appointment.”
Kris feels Cherry Hill East deserves a lot of credit for developing her son into the person he is today. She felt the school did a great job of not only helping him succeed as a student, but also as a person.
“They don’t just teach classes, they teach leadership,” Kris said. “They do help prepare kids to take on bigger challenges.”
