A Success Story for the Silver Screen

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Lauren Bryar

In November of this past year, news of Clinton DesJarlais' accomplishments traveled from coast to coast.

Over the course of one short week, DesJarlais learned that he would not only get to play on the Navy football team as an honorary "12th Mid" in a game against Temple University, but he would also get to fulfill his dream of becoming an F-18 pilot in the Marines.

"It was just plain football," DesJarlais said of his latest accomplishments on the gridiron, "going out there, having dreams, and chasing them."

In May, DesJarlais will graduate as a Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant pilot selectee, from the United States Naval Academy and become the first graduate of the Alaska Military Youth Academy (AMYA) to go on and complete schooling at one of the U.S. Service Academies. Those who knew DesJarlais during his time at Alaska's National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program during class 99-1 aren't surprised by his success, as they are just among the latest events added to the twenty-five year-old's long list of accomplishments.

"When you see his smile, you don't see everything he's gone through," says Dr. James Jones, principal at AMYA, "But it's a genuine smile because he knows how much he's overcome to get where he is today."

At sixteen, DesJarlais found himself at the Covenant House, a haven for homeless and runaway youth in Anchorage. It was during his stay at Covenant House that he learned about the ChalleNGe program.

After graduating from AMYA, DesJarlais returned to high school and became a volunteer firefighter until he turned eighteen and was eligible to join the Marines. After serving in Okinawa, DesJarlais entered the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. Eventually, he was appointed to Class 2007 at the Naval Academy in Annapolis and was admitted on an academic waiver.

Today, DesJarlais has an overall GPA of 2.9 and is aiming for a 3.0 or higher by graduation. Last semester, he was named to the dean's list with a GPA of 3.6.

Of his latest accomplishments on the gridiron, DesJarlais said, "It was like being in a movie." Like all great movies, DesJarlais' football debut came with a twist. The Navy's 12th Midshipmen program, developed just a few years ago, allows the Academy's football team to select a Midshipman from the Brigade at large to compete for a chance to play with the team for one football game. Although originally picked as an alternate to a fellow classmate who outweighed him by nearly forty pounds, DesJarlais impressed the head coach by practicing for months on his own leading up to the big game. During the week preceding the game, coaches recognized DesJarlais' hard work and he was named as one of two official "12th Mids" because of his hard work and dedication.

Jones served as an English teacher at AMYA during Clinton's class in 1999 and says that he and the young cadet quickly forged a bond based on their strong sense of faith. DesJarlais often reflects on his time at ChalleNGe and proudly displays his roots on his Naval Academy class ring which, instead of a precious stone, displays the AMYA school crest in silver and gold.

He says AMYA taught him to "stay focused, respect elders, and honor family." And DesJarlais' family will surely be beaming with pride in May when not only Clinton, but also his younger brother, Levi, both graduate from the Naval Academy and go on to become commissioned officers.

DesJarlais' figurative family seems to have multiplied throughout the years as well, and many– including Dr. Jones and other Alaska ChalleNGe staff members– plan to honor him and attend his graduation from the Naval Academy in May.

However, as DesJarlais reaches one more goal and crosses it off from his "to do" list, there is always one waiting in the wings.

"I want to be a legislator," DesJarlais says of his ultimate goal. "I want to be a leader. I want to write bills and policies like the one that established ChalleNGe. If I could just pay it forward, it would mean so much to be able help others just as I was helped."