[massphatness]

I have to take this opportunity to brag on my oldest son for a bit. I'm not one of these "my kid's better than your kid" dads, so I hope this comes out as I intend it, but I was so swelled up with pride last night that I thought I would burst.

My son Tony is a sophomore in high school, and last year he enrolled in the Naval Jr. ROTC program at his school. He enjoyed the experience thoroughly and continued on it this year where he's truly blossomed. I went to his awards ceremony last night and was floored by his accomplishments. Among his awards:

* Meritorious Service Award - for his work with the school's color and honor guard

* Leadership Award - for completing a series of weekend leadership academies; included in this award is a commission to attend a two-week summer leadership program in July at the Naval War College in Rhode Island that's put on for high school students by the Marine Corps.

* Distinguished Cadet - for the highest GPA in his class year for the Naval Sciences program

* Honors Cadet - for the highest GPA in his class year for all academic subjects

* Embry-Riddle Award - Selected to attend a one-week aeronautics & technology seminar at Embry-Riddle University in Florida. All expenses including travel are paid for by the Navy. If I understood the award presenter, Tony was the only student from the state of Maine to be selected.


My son has always been an excellent student, and his mom & I expect him to do well academically. What really impressed me has been his maturation into a budding leader.

Now if he would understand the value of cleaning his room ...