MyConnection MARCH 2, 2016
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Published every Wednesday by The Newnan Times-Herald
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Friends Accepted to the United States Naval Academy Two Coweta County high school seniors prepare for entrance to USNA By CELIA SHORTT celia@newnan.com
A
fter graduation in the spring, two female Coweta County high school seniors will experience what few other students have and attend the United States Naval Academy. The USNA is the undergraduate college for the United States Navy and prepares men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Its students are active duty midshipmen in the U.S. Navy. After attending the academy for four years, students will graduate with bachelor of science degrees and commissions as ensigns in the U.S. Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Prescillia Truong is a senior at East Coweta High School, and Ansley Knight is a senior at Newnan High School. They are friends who have known each other since seventh grade when they met at the YMCA. Neither, however, knew that the other wanted to apply to USNA until a year ago when they were asking each other about college plans.
They started training together after the discovery. To apply for the USNA, the process begins about six months before students can apply and includes a physical fitness assessment. Once approved through that process, students can then apply to attend. Only 1000 students were chosen Prescillia Truong, left, and Ansley Knight prepare to train for plebe summer, which gets them ready for entrance to the United to attend the USNA in the fall, and States Naval Academy in the fall. Knight and Truong were two of 300 women chosen as part of that group. “I didn’t start thinking about the academy until my sophomore year,” said Knight. Knight is interested in all things science and wants to do something — Ansley Knight to help others. She recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, which opened her up more to the idea of Truong is looking forward most to going to the USNA. She is doing it military police, or a federal agent. helping others. to bonding with the other people at Both she and Knight appreciate to have a sense of duty. Originally, she was interested in USNA. the teamwork aspect of USNA. “I always wanted to give back going to the United States Air Force “They’re from all across the coun“You go there to work as a team to the country because of all it Academy, but her school counselor try,” she said. “You meet so many and to lead others as well,” said has given to my family,” she said. shifted her interest to the USNA. people who are the cream of the Truong. The Navy would give me the most “The Navy would give me the most crop. They push you to do better.” “I really like the order and the opportunities in the science field, as opportunities to do that.” “We’re all on a level platform,” way they organize things,” added Her family emigrated to the well as helping others, she said. added Knight. “You’re all there to United States because of the wars in Knight. She is interested in maybe being do your best. Being part of a team Both Knight and Truong have a pilot, working on a submarine, but Laos and Vietnam. Her parents own means you help those who are laghigh hopes for their time at USNA hopes to end up on the international the Dynasty restaurant in Newnan. ging. You’re only as strong as your and are looking forward to getting Truong is interested in being a space station. weakest link.” started. Truong has a different motivation combat engineer, member of the
“You’re all there to do your best. Being part of a team means you help those who are lagging. You’re only as strong as your weakest link.”
Coweta Development Authority Celebrates 50 Years INSI DE Seaf ood Reci Swaps pes ➤ PAG E4
Island Shrimp Quesadillas
Seafood Swaps for Lent Fish Fridays
FAMILY FEATURES
Switching to seafood on Fridays during Lent? You can still make casual Friday favorites by swapping meat for seafood in easy meals like burgers and quesadillas. “Seafood is perfect for a quick Friday night dinner because fish filets and shrimp don’t take much time to cook,” said Chef Kevan Vetter of the McCormick Kitchens. “However, it’s easy to run out of ideas during the long Lenten
Pictured from left to right are David Pitts, Tony Ferguson, Amanda Fields and David Cleveland at the South Development Metro Outlook last week.
By KANDICE BELL
Mike Barber is a board member of the authority and a former president of the board.
kandice@newnan.com
season. Try the salmon burger recipe listed on page 4 – the patties take just 10 minutes to cook in a skillet and are full of flavor from Cajun seasoning.” From Cajun Salmon Burgers to Island Shrimp Quesadillas, McCormick is serving up flavorful seafood inspiration for the six Fish Fridays of Lent. Need more seafood inspiration? Find tips and recipes at McCormick.com, and be sure to check out Pinterest and Facebook.
The Coweta County Development Authority celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The CCDA was created in 1966 and serves as the primary point of contact for economic development activities in Coweta County. CCDA is made up of a five-member volunteer board, who are appointed by the Coweta County Commission and a sevenmember board that was
established by legislation in 1973. These two boards work together to sustain and build the economic development in Coweta County. Each board has different powers and can issue different types
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of bonds. “Over the last 50 years, a volunteer group of citizens have been working very closely with the state to bring new industry and good jobs for our citizens and the surrounding area,” said board member Mike Barber. Barber is also a former board president. “We’ve been very proactive in our recruitment efforts for the betterment of the county for our citizens and the region,” he added. For example,
we were very involved in the recruitment of the Cancer Treatment Center. I think they have over 1,000 employees. We target industries with solid bases and a good reputation.” Barber also said that Coweta is ideal for warehousing because of its position in the south and its close location to Atlanta. “Our community is well thought of and we
DEVELOPMENT, page 3
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