Sean Storey is set to get a college degree before his high school diploma; he's headed to West Point after that
Buena senior Sean Storey assumes a stance with double chuk Friday at the Academy of Fitness Professionals. Story is an advanced student of the martial art, tang soo do, and has been studying the Korean form of karate for almost four years. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review) BY DIANE SAUNDERS
HERALD/REVIEW
SIERRA VISTA - Buena High School senior Sean Storey will graduate from college before he graduates from high school. Sean, 17, also plans to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he will report on June 27. Between graduating from Cochise College on May 13 and reporting to West Point, Sean will receive his high school diploma from Buena on May 26. Sean said he first considered applying to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, but after attending a summer seminar, decided against a career in the Navy. He also applied to the Air Force Academy, but did not get in. But after visiting West Point in November, he decided to apply there. He said his visit to West Point was very positive. "It was neat. I kind of hung out, went to a couple classes. It was nice," he said. Sean also said his father, Christopher Storey, was "very excited" when he learned that Sean planned to apply to West Point. Christopher is a West Point graduate who now works in Washington, D.C., and is an Army reservist. Sean said his family, which includes his mother, Syretha, and a younger brother and sister, will join his father this summer. But Sean will be going through summer training at West Point. He said he believes the first summer at the academy will be the hardest. When Sean graduates from Buena, he will have completed his course work for an associate of applied science degree in computer programming at Cochise College. Jeannie Neeley, Computer Science Department chairperson at Cochise, said three words describe Sean: dedication, discipline and direction. "I've had Sean in three classes. Š To be so young, he has a good direction of where he wants to go in life. We're very proud of Sean," Neeley said. Sean said he was considering a career in computers when his father suggested he take a computer programming class at the college. "It came kind of easy to me. I liked it," he said, adding he decided to take more classes. He soon realized he could earn an associate's degree while he worked toward his high school diploma. Going to high school and college at the same time became "hectic" the second semester of his junior year at Buena and this year, Sean said. He attended classes at Buena in the morning, then participated in an internship at Ilex Systems as part of his college course work. While he liked working at Ilex, he now questions if he wants to pursue a career in the computer industry. "I was thinking of doing medical school through the Army," he said. "I'm glad I found out now, before going to West Point." Sean has attended school in Sierra Vista since fourth grade. He said Buena guidance counselor Socorro Paul has been especially supportive and helpful. "Ms. Paul has been very supportive. I can talk to her about pretty much anything," Sean said. Paul characterized Sean as intelligent and mature. "He was focused as a ninth-grader and has remained that way. Sean has continually challenged himself. He will graduate from Buena High in May, and he will also have earned an associate's degree from Cochise. Sean has been exemplary in all facets of student life," Paul wrote in an e-mail message about Sean. Sean is a member of the National Honor Society. "I used to do Key Club and Reading is Fundamental," he said, explaining he has not been able to participate this year because he was taking college classes. Sean also has other interests. He started training in the martial arts prior to his freshman year at Buena. But recently he has not had much time to devote to this activity. "I kind of like working with models (cars). I'd like to put together a gas-powered remote control car," he said. His mother said he also has completed requirements for his Eagle Scout project, but still has to undergo a board of review before receiving the Eagle Scout rank. |