| Mejia Reports To Great Lakes Naval Station
Henry Mejia reported to Great Lakes Naval Station to begin his training to become a Naval Systems Manager. When Henry was a Junior in high school, he knew he wanted to join the Navy. Mejia knew he wasn't an excellent student academically, but he felt he had the communication skills to become some type of communications technician in the Navy.
When Henry finished high school, he was one class short of graduating. Without the high school diploma he had very little chance of getting into the Navy. Henry's sister, ISTA student Angie Gonzalez, suggested to her bother that he try talking to Mr. Santos. The Navy had been supportive and involved in several activities with the academy, maybe there was something that could be done.
Henry went to see Mr. Santos whom he had as a teacher his junior year. He informed Mr.Santos that he had made up many of his classes but was missing one he had failed in the 10th grade and that failure was preventing him from following his dream. Mr. Santos got in touch with Chief Petty Officer Bonilla and explained the situation to him. The following day Henry went to the recruiting office with a letter from Mr. Santos explaining the situation and vouching for Mejia's character. The Navy was able to help this young man meet his dream and gave him the confidence to go to Adult School to make up the one class he was missing. Four weeks shy of reporting to camp, Henry received his high school diploma.
After basic training, Henry will go to a Naval communications school where he will begin training in air and sea traffic systems management.
Mr. Santos said that he was really glad to see that the Navy was willing to step outside the box and take a risk on a young man such as Henry Mejia. Mr. Santos feels that the Navy's partnership with the academy had a lot to do with Henry's acceptance. "I think we have a good partnership with the Navy, this relationship allows us to speak openly and allows Naval personnel to get a true evaluation of who we are and the young people we have. It would have been easy to play it safe and say no. I am glad the Navy is able to see what we are doing and the quality of young people we are developing. They are getting an excellent young man."
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