Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Aumua Amata has personally called and congratulated Taylor’s parents on their daughter’s outstanding achievement. The Air Force Academy notified Congresswoman Aumua Amata’s office on Jan. 29, 2015 that they are extending an Offer of Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy to Miss Taylor Va’alele Jessop to be a member of the Class of 2019.

Taylor is the daughter of Trisha and Douglas Jessop, Jr. of Gataivai and Faga’alu and a student at South Pacific Academy. She is also the granddaughter of Sonny and Vera Thompson and Douglas and Helen Jessop. 

Amata is “thrilled for Taylor and her parents and wishes her the very best as she prepares to take on this huge challenge.”  She went on to say that “it is a great honor to be accepted into one of our military academies and we are extremely proud of Taylor. This achievement is a testament to her hard work and the work that her parents, her teachers and her community have done to prepare her for the future. Job well done, Taylor and we are expecting great things from you in the future.”  

Taylor comes from a family with strong ties to our Armed Forces on both sides, with two West Point graduates, her uncle Sonny Thompson, Jr. and aunt Leafaina Tavai Yahn, as well as several family members now serving, or having previously served in the United States Armed Forces.

The United States Air Force Academy is one of our prestigious military academies that only take the best of the best and prepare them for a lifetime of service as an officer in our Armed Forces, Amata noted.

The Air Force Academy offers a fully funded four-year program of instruction and experience designed to provide cadets the knowledge and character essential for leadership, and the motivation to serve as Air Force career officers. Each cadet graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

“Taylor’s mother and I are very proud of her accomplishments, as this is what we have been keen on — driving her to be the best at everything she does, and to never give up when on a mission to fulfill a goal she sets her mind on,” said her father, Douglas.

He told Samoa News this past week they were never easy on her when it came to her schooling and her homework, in order to get good grades. The proud father said that Taylor visited the Academy in Colorado last summer, and the visit was paid for by the Academy.

According to Jessop, Taylor is ecstatic about attending the Academy given that she was among the 50+ students who visited the school for two weeks last summer, including students from outside the United States. He told Samoa News that Taylor is ready to attend the Academy and “we will be praying that nothing will stand in her way as she strives to succeed.”

Jessop told Samoa New that Taylor’s grandparents are also very proud of her.

Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu contributed to this report.