Many local students set to graduate this coming June from high school are anticipating another step forward on the path to achieving their dreams, and some will have to make choices that will indeed decide what their journey will embrace, in most cases, an institution of higher learning, trying to choose the ‘best’.

For one local student — Miss Taylor Va’alele Jessop — her choice for the ‘best’ has just become awesome, and perhaps harder, but certainly with the realization that focus and clarity opens doors to one’s dreams, made real.

Last week, Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata was notified by the West Point Admissions Office that they are offering an appointment to Taylor to be a Member of the Class of 2019. This is the second offer she has received from a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces — in January this year, she was also notified by Amata of an Offer of Appointment from the United States Air Force Academy. (See Samoa News Feb. 14, 2015 issue for details.)

Taylor is the daughter of Tricia 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.

Her mother, Tricia said of her daughter’s appointments, “I am immensely proud of everything Taylor has accomplished thus far. She is a very ambitious young woman who is diligent in both her school work and athletics. Attending a U.S. Service Academy has always been Taylor's goal, and to see my child's dream come to a reality is one of the most rewarding feelings a mother could have.”

Taylor is a senior at the South Pacific Academy. Her Math teacher and tutor, Ms. Kathy Park, who has known Taylor since the 6th grade, when she met her in summer math program spoke of Taylor’s clarity, even as a 12-year-old, and of how very proud she is of Taylor.

Park said, “One of her goals was to attend a military academy. I was very surprised because her goal was very concrete and she knew what she was supposed to do to achieve her goal at 12 years old. After that summer school, I learned she would achieve her goal and do whatever she needed to do academically to attain her goal. She is one of the students I know very well and it is my honor to be acquainted with her.

“I have watched Taylor grow for seven years. She is a very hard-working, focused, and interested in everything she undertakes. She would rather work to do her best in challenging classes than take the easy route. She still asks me to teach her more and I’m willing to teach her as much as I can before she goes to the real world.

“For seven years we had dreamed together. Now we have made it. Her goal is my goal, and I also achieved my goal. I will do my best to help her prepare for her successful future. It is my honor working with her. This deserves recognition. I love you, Taylor,” she proudly stated.

Samoa News asked Taylor about her appointments — she still has not decided which one to accept, and she noted, “I am extremely thankful and humbled to have received an appointment to West Point and the Air Force Academy. Attending a U.S. Service Academy to serve our great Nation, and attain a superlative education has been my main aspiration in life. I have worked incredibly hard for this moment, and to see my efforts paying off is a huge relief.

“Of course, I did not make this journey alone. My teachers, counselors, family members, and most importantly, my parents, and Heavenly Father have always supported and guided me. All of these people have done much to get me to this point in my life, and my words are incapable of expressing the amount of gratitude and love that I have for all of them,” Taylor said.

Taylor comes from a family with strong ties to the US Armed Forces on both sides, including two West Point graduates, her Uncle Lt. Colonel Sonny Thompson, Jr. and Aunt Leafaina Tavai Yahn, retired Colonel. Several other family members such as CW5(R) Henry Jessop have also served, or are serving in the Armed Forces.  

Her grandfather Sonny Thompson, a retired Air Force Major and currently the government’s Director of Human Resources, said on behalf of the Thompson and Ho Ching Family in Faga’alu that “Taylor continues to excel in all that she does through her relentless commitment and dedication to hard work.

“She is significant in many ways, but what I am most proud of with my granddaughter is her desire and passion to continue the legacy of our families’ military service to our country through a U.S. Service Academy and Armed Forces.

“She has always instilled the qualities of being an exemplary young woman, and on behalf of her late great grandparents, Tom “Puka” Ho Ching and Va’alele Asuega Mauga Ho Ching of Faga’alu, and her grandmother Vera Ho Ching Thompson and I, our children, grandchildren, and all of our families here and abroad, we continue to support and pray for Taylor as she embarks in this new and exciting journey of her life. The sky is the limit and you are truly an inspiration to us all. We love you with all our hearts!”

Amata in her press release stated that she is very proud of Taylor as she has already been accepted to the Air Force Academy and now to West Point, two of the most prestigious schools in the United States preparing young men and women to serve as officers in our Armed Forces.  She is thrilled for Taylor and her parents and wishes her the very best as she prepares for this great challenge. 

“It is a great honor to be accepted into one of our military academies and we are extremely proud of Taylor,” Amata said. “This achievement is a testament to her hard work and the work that her parents, teachers and community have done to prepare her for the future.  Job well done Taylor,” concluded Amata.

The United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point ranks in the Top Ten Best Colleges in the nation as reported by Forbes. The Academy provides a superb four-year education, which focuses on the leadership development of cadets in the academic, military, and physical domains, all underwritten by adherence to a strict code of honor.