Amata Congratulates Micah Gurr for Acceptance to Air Force Academy Preparatory School

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is congratulating Micah Tiamanini I'atala Gurr for his acceptance to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado Springs.

The mission of the Preparatory School, established in 1961, is to provide a rigorous ten-month program refining the academic, leadership, and physical skills to prepare cadet candidates for success as future officers. Admission is selective and competitive. Numerous USAFA Preparatory School graduates have gone on to distinguished military and academic careers and honors, including prestigious scholarships, fellowships, general officer ranks, and even astronauts.

Cadet candidates who were not already enlisted at the time of their acceptance are placed on active duty in the Air Force Reserves during the program.

"Congratulations to Micah Gurr on this acceptance. Micah has an exciting year in store for him, then we look forward to another announcement in a year updating his next step," Congresswoman Amata. "Only excellent students get this opportunity, as the Service Academies look for important marks of leadership and motivation to qualify for Preparatory School. Congratulations to his proud parents, Malaeoletalu and Shantel Gurr, as well as his teachers, and Samoana High School."

A Service Academy preparatory school requires strong academics, high test scores, and the demonstration of extracurricular activities, volunteering, or other roles that show leadership and motivation.

Congresswoman Amata nominated Micah this January among a group of six student nominees who sent in nine total Service Academy applications this year from American Samoa. He is the second announcement from this class of nominees.

Service Academy Application Information

Congresswoman Amata's Chief of Staff, Col. Leafaina Tavai, U.S. Army (Ret.), who was the first service academy graduate from American Samoa, graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, recommends that motivated students consider applying to multiple Academies, and notes that students cannot be nominated by the Congresswoman without a completed application on file with the Academy ahead of the congressional nomination.

The Service Academies are selective and highly competitive. Prospective applicants should evaluate their interest in five total Service Academy possibilities: The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The Coast Guard Academy does not include a congressional nomination process, but the Congresswoman will be very happy to highlight and congratulate every Academy acceptance, so American Samoa can take pride in each of these high-achieving students.

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