THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504260136
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
NICOLE SNYDER WAS SCANNING college catalogs when her dad, an Army veteran, jokingly suggested that she apply to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Nicole, 18, took his suggestion seriously.
An honor student and the first from Isle of Wight Academy to apply to West Point, Nicole was nominated by Rep. Norman Sisisky.
Her education will be paid for by the government, and ``I'll get one of the best educations in the country,'' Nicole said. ``All the problems college students have getting a job. . . . I'll already have one.''
After graduating, she must serve on active duty for six years and in the Army reserves for eight. A master's degree would mean extra years of obligatory service.
Although Nicole was not accepted to the Academy for 1995-96, she was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School at Fort Monmouth, N.J. It provides academic, military and physical training toward admission to the Military Academy.
To be admitted to the preparatory school, applicants must have above-average grades, rank in the upper third of their class and pass all required academic, physical fitness and medical exams required by the academy.
Academically, Nicole will take math and English courses next year. And although she will receive some military training, it is not as strenuous as West Point's.
Attending the preparatory school does not guarantee getting into West Point, Nicole said, ``but I've been told that attending the school is the best thing I can do.''
At 4 feet, 11 inches and 106 pounds, Nicole easily passed the required physical fitness tests.
Last September, she spent a Saturday morning proving her mettle: ``I had to run a 300-yard shuttle, throw a basketball from a kneeling position, do a standing long jump, and a `flexed-arm hang' from a bar,'' she said.
A Suffolk native, Nicole has practiced physical fitness throughout her high school years. In addition to earning an academic letter, she has lettered in volleyball, softball and as a cheerleader at IOW Academy. She also received the Presidential Physical Fitness Award in the 8th, 9th and 10th grades.
A member of the Suffolk YMCA, Nicole has taken aerobics classes and arrives at the Y at 6 a.m. to exercise before school.
She is president of the National Honor Society and the senior class, yearbook editor, vice president of the Science Club and co-captain of the cheering squad and the volleyball team.
Nicole lives on a farm with her parents, Nick and Dolly Snyder, and 16-year-old brother, Brian. She and her brother have been riding and showing horses for several years.
``I have a whole box full of ribbons,'' she said, ``but I'm so busy now, that I ride when I can. It is my responsibility to clean the stalls and feed my horse every night.''
Nicole's hobbies are reading and playing bluegrass music on her fiddle. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Nicole Snyder has been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy
Preparatory School for training toward admission to West Point.
by CNB