Dateland resident chooses Air Force Academy

Being an only child may have made J. Mintzmyer, valedictorian of Antelope High School, mature for his age. But put him around his peers and he's funny and confident.

Now the 17-year-old Dateland resident will be using that maturity and approachability as he enters the next chapter of his life as a cadet at the Air Force Academy in Colorado beginning June 26.

"Though I'll be having a shorter summer than most, I don't mind," he said.

After applying to prestigious academies such as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Air Force Academy, Mintzmyer was surprised to learn he had been accepted at all five.

"I was very honored to get into all of them, but I was really shocked to get into MIT.

"I visited all four campuses and initially I chose Annapolis as my first choice, but I was still undecided. I was tempted by MIT and the civilian life in Boston. But I decided I was best suited and wanted most to become an officer with the Air Force.

"It came down to what I could better envision myself as, and I am pleased to be entering into the Air Force soon."

And, it happened that the Air Force was also the first place Mintzmyer applied to.

"Last July I told my mom I applied for the Air Force Academy. I just kind of threw it out there to them, but they have been very supportive."

Mintzmyer is the son of Charles and Rochelle Mintzmyer of Anchorage, Alaska.

He joked, "My parents wanted a son whose name started with the letter J., I guess they just never elaborated past that. At least it wasn't an X or Z."

After spending his early years in Alaska being home-schooled, a trip around the United Stated with a pit stop in Dateland eventually landed Mintzmyer here year-round.

"We stayed in Dateland for a couple of days while I was in the second grade, and a lady invited me to visit the elementary school while we were here," Mintzmyer recalled.

After his first taste of public school, Mintzmyer decided he would like to return to Arizona. He continued to come back year after year, while his father remained in Alaska with his business of plumbing and heating.

"My mom and me were back and forth for a few years, but really Alaska and Dateland aren't that different. The hardest part was adjusting from home school to public school, that was the new experience for me."

It was in the eighth grade that Mintzmyer and his mom became year-round residents - "and it was a great choice in retrospect," he said.

Once in public school, Mintzmyer immersed himself in extracurricular activities.

"All the academies I applied to are great schools, but this isn't something I envisioned myself doing in the years past. I don't live and breathe math or subjects like that. I enjoy sports tremendously."

He now serves as president of the FFA at Antelope High, outside linebacker for the school football team, second in tennis and a wrestler in the 145-pound division. He also is heavily involved in Student Council, Key Club and is co-disc jockey for the school's functions.

Jeff Peters, a student adviser and teacher at Antelope High School, said, "J. is someone who you can talk to on another level. He is very well read in current events and politics and in critical thinking. He adds tremendously to the classroom environment.

"Some kids like J. could be a class nerd, but not with J. He's right in there with them. His relationship with his peers is outstanding. He is just a very well-rounded being with sports, academics and friendships," Peters said.

Mintzmyer recalled his friends' reaction upon learning of his acceptance to some of the most sought-after academies.

"I remember when I got the MIT acceptance letter, I told my friends. They were like, 'Great ... what's that?'

"I guess if there is something I wish I had done, it would be to have applied to Harvard, too. Not that I want to go there, but at least everybody has heard of Harvard," he chuckled.

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Stefani Guerrero Soucy can be reached at
ssoucy@yumasun.com or 539-6857.