Mount Union student Delaney Ronk visits the United States Air Force Academy during the Summer Seminar program.
By SYDNEE HARRIS | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — Delaney Ronk, Mount Union Area High School senior, was granted the opportunity to attend the United States Air Force Academy’s Summer Seminar in June of 2025.
Summer Seminar is a program offered at all of the United States service academies. It takes place during the summer months and allows high school juniors to experience what each academy has to offer. Students meet and collaborate with others who share similar military interests and explore the various opportunities available at each academy. Applications open in December, and students receive their admission decisions in March. It is a selective program designed for students who demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career at one of the service academies. For Ronk, this opportunity connected directly to her career goals.
Ronk came across this opportunity while researching the career field of behavioral science in the military. The Air Force Academy offers it as a career path, and that was enough for her to want to apply. After deciding to apply to the USAFA, she learned that she could have the chance to attend their Summer Seminar, which would allow her to experience what life would be like as a cadet at the academy. After being accepted, Ronk was eager to visit the academy and take part in the program firsthand.
The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A day at the academy consists of a very full schedule. Cadets wake up at 5:30 a.m., get dressed, and head outside for morning formation. After formation, they go to Mitchell Hall for breakfast. Once finished, Summer Seminar attendees tour the academic centers. Cadets then return to Mitchell Hall for lunch and typically participate in drill and march across the Quad, which is the central part of campus. After the main portion of their day is complete, they wind down with briefings and take part in various team-building and leadership activities. Following that, cadets have dinner and some free time in their rooms. At 9:30 p.m., they are given snacks, and lights are out by 10:30 p.m.
Ronk shared that her favorite part of Summer Seminar was, “not only the opportunity itself, but meeting new people and building friendships with people who have the same interests as me.” She said the most eye-opening part of her experience was, “spending time away from my family and friends and experiencing firsthand what military life will look like for me as a cadet at USAFA.”
Throughout this major step in her life, Ronk made it clear that her mother has been her greatest source of support and influence. Her mother has been there whenever she feels overwhelmed and constantly reassures her that, if she keeps working hard and believing in herself, she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. That support has helped Ronk stay focused on her goals. Looking back, she says that Summer Seminar gave her a real sense of what life at the academy is like and made her even more eager to continue down that path.
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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