Green Bay, Wisc. -- Notre Dame Academy student Emerson Dycus was recently selected to attend the Marine Corps’ Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy this July at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, July 16-22, 2018.
The weeklong academy gives rising high school juniors and seniors a taste of military life on a Marine Corps installation. During the week, the students’ confidence and leadership abilities are built upon by being introduced to physical fitness, academics, field, and ethics training. The academy also demonstrates the customs, courtesies and traditions of the military to the students.
In order to be considered for the SLCDA, each student interested must submit an online application with letters of recommendation, transcripts, documentation of strong physical fitness, and an essay.
“I submitted my package in the hopes of attending the academy to further my education and leadership abilities,” said Dycus, a Green Bay, Wisconsin, native and junior. “I found out about this program through [Civil Air Patrol] Major Chad Luebke. He also wrote one of the letters of recommendation that I needed to be considered for the program.”
Dycus’ resume includes attending the U.S. Space Academy, athletics, participating in Civil Air Patrol, a large number of volunteer hours, and more all while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average in advanced honors classes.
“Emerson Dycus is a young lady I have had the pleasure of meeting through my local Civil Air Patrol Squadron,” Luebke said. “On the occasions I have been able to observe and speak with Emerson, I have been exceedingly impressed with her professionalism.”
An applicant for the SLCDA program is also used to judge possible officer candidates as they go through their high school career.
“Even at a relatively young age, she has the bearing and awareness that we would expect from an officer candidate,” according to Luebke. “Her communication skills are excellent and she speaks confidently in front of those in authority.”
There are many reasons Dycus wants to go to the academy but her main goal is to walk away with the necessary preparation for a military career.
“I hope that through SLCDA, it can really help me bring out my leadership skills,” said Dycus. “I definitely want to apply to the [U.S. Armed Forces] academies and have plans of going to the military in the future. I really hope that this will give me some knowledge so I can understand how that all works. I’m looking forward to being exposed to so many different people and being able to practice my social skills.”
This week-long experience will expand upon her ability to lead as well as follow others and work as a team.
“One of the events I am looking forward to the most is the military career day so I can meet pilots and engineers to talk to them about their experiences as well as how to get those type of jobs,” said Dycus.
At school Dycus is interested in engineering and math with a National Air and Space Agency competition already completed with multiple experiments launched into orbit aboard the International Space Station.
“Emerson is very bright and has all the tools for success in the future and I have no doubt that she is going to do remarkably well with the SLCDA,” said Luebke.