It began for Wilson HS senior Michelle Weaver at the age of 13. An avid musician, she has always loved submarines, ships, and the ocean. While volunteering on the USS Blueback, the OMSI submarine, Michelle decided that she wanted to join the Naval Academy and visited the Academy campus. With support from her family, she started the arduous application process. "On our cross country motorcycle trip of June/July 2007, Michelle and I stood together beside the parade ground of Annapolis admiring the performance of the plebe band and drill team," states Floyd Weaver, Michelle's
father. "It was there that I saw through her eyes the passionate dream of being there, and her dream became my own for her." To make the cut, though, she needed to challenge herself mentally and physically. In addition to the written application, recommendations, and test scores, Michelle recently completed her physical test for the Naval Academy with Wilson's Coach Del Gerber, ending with a timed mile on the track in the middle of a home football game. "Although
running in front of the grand stands full of parents is not my first idea of a physical test, the audience and their interest
in the fact that I was applying to the Academy made me work harder," states Michelle. "Completing the mile was easy
(after cross country)."

Michelle is a WHS Drum Major and plays the french horn, switching from trumpet during her sophomore year. As a drum major she states, "conducting the band has been a great source of confidence and a slice of what leadership will be like at the Naval Academy." "However my favorite part about being drum major is teaching people how to march. I absolutely love marching and being in a position to improve our band is absolutely wonderful." While playing in the
Marching Band is her first priority, she is considering playing in their concert band and has always wanted to play snare drum, so she is learning from a classmate and her father. Her ultimate goal is to become a member of the USNA Drum and Bugle Corps.

Paul Jolstead, Wilson Director of Bands, is extremely proud of Michelle stating, "I can't be happier for Michelle. I have never met a student that wanted something so badly. Michelle has wanted to pursue a Naval career as long as I've known her and I'm thrilled for her. How many people do you know that would sit at a basketball game and look at a submarine identification guide? Michelle Weaver. I can't think of a better person that I would want in a leadership
position doing all the things that we ask of our military. She's the type of person that I want protecting our borders, taking and giving orders, and making the crucial decisions that are required. I am proud to know her and I know the other band students are proud of her as well. She will be an outstanding representative for Wilson and Oregon at theaval Academy."

"Her acceptance by the academy is one of our happiest and proudest moments," said her father. "I go
into a euphoric state of joy every time I think about it! I'm so proud of her." "This is the dream of my life come true," replies Michelle. We wish her success and hope that her training as a musician will help her achieve all of her goals!.
Linda Doyle, Spotlight