Nebraska Teen Noble Rasmussen Accepted in All U.S. Military Academies; Chooses the Air Force

A Nebraska teenager, who will graduate from high school in May 2022, has been accepted in all five U.S. military academies. Noble Rasmussen, 18 years old, has decided to pursue his service to the country by becoming an Air Force serviceman.

Speaking with iHeart Radio, Noble said that his interest in military service started in the seventh grade. At that age, he was determined to get into one of five military academies in the U.S. -- the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, the Military Academy in West Point, the Naval Academy in Maryland, the Merchant Marine Academy in New York, and the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

To secure his chances of acceptance, Noble said that he stayed out of trouble and brushed up on his academic and leadership credentials in school. He also improved his athletic ability as a cross-training athlete at Millard North High School.

Noble started his application process at the start of his senior high school year. After getting letters of recommendation from his teachers, he also had to go through interviews with state senators and congressmen for their nomination. The lawmakers' nominations are required for all the academies.

The 18-year-old also went to all the academies to do physical and athletics tests before he finally learned all of his applications were accepted.

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A Disciplined Student

Mom Cheri Rasmussen said that Noble has always shown discipline, even as a young child. He made sure to finish his school work and put his academics first before enjoying time with his friends.

Dad Kirk Rasmussen believes that Noble took the right path in preparing himself for the military. As a result, he had the right package that the academies are looking for. The dad is also very proud that Noble received multiple nominations from their state lawmakers.

Cheri said that they named her son "Noble" because it was her and her husband's fervent prayer that he would grow up to "rise above" and have a high moral principle. The parents wanted their son to exemplify a "noble character of honor, honesty and integrity."

In an interview with Fox News, Cheri said they had been blessed to have a son like Noble, who has shown maturity for his age. On the other hand, the patriotic teenager said that he has always felt it was his duty to serve America.

Noble has decided to enter the Air Force Academy because he enjoyed his experience getting his license as a private pilot for his senior year. He also realized that he did not want to be stuck in a ship or an army camp somewhere. He will officially start his training at the Air Force on June 23.

Florida Teen Accepted into 72 Colleges

Meanwhile, in Florida, an 18-year-old teenager has been accepted to 72 universities. Ja'Leaha Thornton told ABC News that she applied to 90 schools through the Common Black College Application, and 80 percent have responded with an acceptance.

Initially, Thorton aimed to attend her dream school, Howard University in Washington, D.C. However, she picked Xavier University in Louisiana and took up pre-medical psychology with a minor in chemistry.

Thorton will be graduating as the class valedictorian at the Glades Central Community High School. She plans to pursue further studies in Asia and complete medical school after college.

Related Article: Colorado School District to Scrap Valedictorian Designation in High School