Neal Sebastian, a 2002 Starr's

Mill High School graduate, saw his dream come true. He has always wanted

to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy and was U.S. Sen.

Zell Miller's primary choice for the appointment. The state is only allowed

eight slots at the academy, and as the primary choice, he was the first

one to be given the choice of going.

Neal hopes to major in marine

transportation and logistics.

At Starr's Mill, he was class

president his junior and senior year, was a four-year varsity football

player, where his favorite position was an outside linebacker, and a four-year

varsity track player, where he set a school record in the 300-meter hurdles.

He heads to the academy in

Kings Point, N. Y. July 11 and looks forward to playing football there.

"I look forward to completing

my studies at USMMA," he said. "When I graduate there are a

number of options available. I can go into any branch of service, or enter

the private sector." If he chooses the private sector, however, he

will have to serve eight years in the Navy Reserve.