By STELLA KIM / SKIM@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
SILVERDALE – Getting accepted into the United States Naval Academy is an accolade of its own, but for the Jorde family of Silverdale, it’s an honor they received not once but three times.
All three of the Jorde siblings, Gee Mi, 22, Gee Yong, 19, and Erik, 18, were granted admission to the prestigious college.
“The opportunities here are endless,” Gee Yong said. “Whether it be you want to go to grad school immediately after graduation, want to be a doctor, want to travel, want special internships, etc. If you have something you want to do you can convince the school of why it’s beneficial for you then try to make it happen,” she said.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the USNA has an average acceptance rate of 7.4 percent. It is ranked the 13th best liberal arts college in America.
The application process is rigorous, requiring high SAT and ACT scores, interviews and nominations from an official source – such as a U.S. representative or a senator.
The Jorde’s went to Central Kitsap High school and graduated in 2011, 2014 and 2015.
Gee Mi graduated in May with a bachelors of science degree. She majored in political science and Japanese. She is going to California later this month to learn to be a surface warfare officer. At the end of September she will leave San Diego.
Gee Yong is majoring in Chinese and minoring in Japanese. She will also graduate with a bachelors of science degree in 2018 due to the amount of math and science classes that are required for graduation.
“What I like about the Naval Academy is the atmosphere of the school. Everyone is here for the same reason and that’s to help lead sailors and marines upon graduation. The friendships you make here are incredible and unlike all others. The school is fantastic,” said Gee Yong.
Erik is undecided on his major, but has an interest in mechanical engineering or quantitative economics. He leaves June 28 for the Naval Academy.
“I’m looking forward to the camaraderie of the school and the physical and mental challenges I will encounter,” said Erik. “I have seen how it molded Gee Mi into a naval officer and I can’t wait to be apart of it myself. I’m also looking forward to the opportunities it provides.”
