PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Faith Southwick comes from a family that believes in serving your country. Three out of her four grandparents did so.
"Service was something I chose on my own and then they kind of showed me this is everything that it could be."
For the past four years Faith, a student at Park Vista Community High School, has sacrificed the fun most high school students have with a goal of continuing the family tradition.
"I started my more intense physical training about 2 years ago and then I had to work hard in school to get the academic qualification," she said.
Physically fit, good grades and hours of community service all done. Then it was time to wait for the call from Congresswoman Lois Frankel.
Her mother Eileen Southwick said, "We were this far away from each other and the phone rang and it was perfect."
"It could not have been a more perfect time all five members of my family was sitting on the couch. I got the phone call and I cried and it’s everything I’ve been working for and everything I ever wanted," said Faith.
Faith says only one out of four women is in the Naval Academy. Faith will begin her Navy life this summer with her focus on graduation in 2023 and hopes to be a naval engineer.
"It’s been really hard and really long but the sacrifices I made I feel are worth it cause it’s not only amazing career but I’m going to get to serve the greatest country in the world."