Reston students rally to colors

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Hurrah for the red, white and blue echoes loud and clear at South Lakes High School in Reston, where five of this year's 330 graduates are attending three of the nation's service academies.

That's a record for a school that in the last 10 years has had nine seniors enroll in the U.S. Naval Academy alone.

The feat makes a person wonder if there is something in the school's drinking water.

"They are superior young people," says Bruce Butler, South Lakes' proud principal, who makes a point of saying that all five are in the top 5 percent of the class.

Candidates for the academies must have a recommendation from a member of Congress -- and in special cases from the executive branch -- and, if accepted, are assured of receiving a free education in return for commitment of five years of service following graduation.

"I have a little experience, having had four nephews go through the Naval Academy and all played football," Mr. Butler says. "I think there are plenty of kids [like them] who see the big picture and understand about commitment to their country. Some act on that and choose to apply for military institutions. We have other students on ROTC scholarships going to other universities.

"But I don't think anyone going into the academies for reasons of money will last," he adds. "Because of the challenges, physically and mentally, to be successful there you really have to want to do it."

"Five must beat out any high school of this size, especially given the way things are in the world," says guidance counselor Bill Campbell, who supervised two of the five students. "It's a bit daunting for a kid to say he will face the kinds of life-threatening situations that will most likely come their way."

Patriotism is a given for four out of the five who come from homes where at least one member and sometimes two or more have served, or currently serve, in the military.

Zachary Newcomb, 18, had the unusual distinction of being sworn into the Naval Academy as a midshipman 4th class on Wednesday, Induction Day, by his own father, a newly retired U.S. Navy commander.