When Connor Sehnert considered all the options for where he wanted to continue his education, he knew that he wanted to challenge himself in every way imaginable.
As he works his way closer to graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Sehnert reflects how his path through Mancos High School set him up for success.
Part of the Mancos Class of 2022, Sehnert wanted to continue to access his wide range of extracurricular pursuits, all while getting the chance to give back to the community. So for him, signing on to become a midshipman felt like the perfect fit.
“I wanted to do something more with my life than just chase a paycheck, and the Naval Academy gave me that chance,” he said.
Along with running for the Mancos cross-country and track and field programs, Sehnert also played basketball, participated in student council and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also volunteered with the Mancos Fire Department while taking college-level classes at Fort Lewis College.
“Doing all of those activities helped me practice my time management skills,” he said, “and it was something that the (military) academies look for in potential candidates.”
Sehnert’s academic acumen helped him to meet the rigorous entry requirements at the Naval Academy, where his pursuit of a major in history and minor in German has made his extensive travels to Europe and Canada into vibrant experiences.
He has expanded his diverse interests with some of the various extracurricular offerings from the academy, including an Offshore Sailing Team and Scuba Club.
Sehnert passed through the four steps for admission into the academy, including his application, nomination from a congressional representative, candidate fitness test, and a medical screening. The resulting benefits of a full-ride scholarship, paid housing and food, along with a monthly stipend were among the many perks that he enjoys as part of the academy.
For students in Southwest Colorado considering joining one of the five military service academies, Sehnert recommends that students demonstrate a well-rounded educational experience with a balance of athletic and nonathletic activities, along with taking the ACT and SAT exams and honors and advanced placement courses.
“The program is rigorous, but the benefits are worth it,” said Sehnert.
