By: Michelle Aronson and Julie Pham

Nicholas Pham is a seventeen-year-old senior atWestboroughHigh School. He participates in a variety of extra-curricular activities such as marching band, robotics, soccer and tai-kwon-do. As an individual with high expectations for himself in a world of academics, it is safe to say that Pham is a determined student. However, it may not end up being an academic career that he chooses to pursue. Ever since he can remember, Pham has had an underlying persistence to join the Marines.

Pham has always been mesmerized by the glorifying fight scenes in action movies. A few of Pham’s favorite action films include Saving Private Ryan and Red Wings. These movies feature heroes of war, and Pham has longed to become one of these heroes since his early childhood.

“As a kid I thought, “How awesome would it be to be like the people in the movies and represent this country? Who wouldn’t want to do that?’”

Pham came closer to his dream as he grew up and became more educated and exposed to real life aspects of the Marines. Meeting veterans and having an aunt who had served in the army brought him closer to the reality of his mission.

When Pham was fourteen years old, he had the opportunity to meet Marine officers who were in the WHS cafeteria recruiting students. This experience was a very personal, first-hand account for Pham and increased his interest even more.

Now that Pham is preparing for college, he is trying hard to associate his future with the Marines. West Point and theVirginiaNavalAcademyare among some of the military colleges that he is exploring. He hopes that by being in a military-oriented school such asWest Point, he will be able to fulfill his academic goals as well as being able to satisfy a lifelong dream.

Pham states, “If I could get into [West Point], it would mean getting a good education and at the same time, I would be preparing for something I’ve always wanted to do.” Though finishing college and selecting a career still seem far away, Pham will continue to aim for what he has always dreamed of becoming; a Marine.

“Being part of the armed services would be an honor. When the Marines refer to themselves as ‘the few, the proud,’ it shows how exclusive and accomplished being a Marine is. I respect them and hope that I can be part of that, or any branch of the armed forces someday.”