Va. teen admitted to four military academies

Bruce Leshan | WUSA-TV, Washington

Show Caption Hide Caption 4 military academies want this teen Timothy Park hit the grand slam for America's military service academies.

FAIRFAX, Va. — It's getting to be that time of year: When high school seniors and their parents start worrying. Will children get into the college they want? Will parents be able to pay for it?



One remarkable young man in Fairfax County, Va., doesn't have to worry about any of that.

Timothy Park has hit the grand slam: admission to four of America's military service academies. It's almost like getting into every one of the Ivy League schools — with the added difficulty of getting a congressional nomination.

"I'm feeling amazing right now!" said Park, 18, a student at Trinity Christian School.



Stellar grades, test scores, leadership skills, community service, and physical fitness were all part of the formula that got him into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn.

How rare is the feat? "It's about one percent, if not less," Park said one graduate told him. "Of the whole country."



"I'm following up the legacy of service my grandfather started," he said. His grandfather Eugene Park was a child in Busan, South Korea, when American troops landed to push back the invading North Koreans in the early 1950s. Forever grateful, when he grew up and became a doctor in Pennsylvania, Eugene Park always provided free medical care to Korean War veterans. "What he said is he had a debt of honor he wanted to repay," his grandson said.

Timothy's dad continues the family tradition of service as a lieutenant colonel in the Army. "We're very proud and excited he's going to serve our country," said Sean Park. "As Americans, there's no better thing than protecting our country."



"My first choice at this point is West Point, but I'm keeping my options open," said Timothy.



He admits his future seems a little daunting. "It's honestly, almost a miracle," he said.



Timothy hasn't settled on a major field of study, he said. But whatever he decides, the tuition will be free.

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