Written by Ainsley Hall and published in The Journal on November 26, 2025, link to article HERE.
Nicholas Shirley returned to Martinsburg during Thanksgiving break to talk about the United State Naval Academy (USNA) and encourages more students from West Virginia to consider applying. Shirley joined the OP INFO program last year, letting him represent West Virginia District Two and talk with students throughout the area. Now as Shirley continues his senior year, he again is taking time to talk about opportunities at the USNA.
Shirley grew up in Berkeley County, attending Spring Mills High School where he met mentors who encouraged him to apply for USNA. Though he wasn’t accepted at first, Shirley didn’t give up and chose to attend West Virginia University for one year before his application was accepted.
“I wanted to challenge myself and serve something greater than myself,” Shirley said. “I graduate and join the fleet in May, and I couldn’t be more excited. There are so many people out there searching for their purpose in life and I truly believe there is no greater purpose than serving your country.”
Through the OP INFO program, Shirley gets to share that passion with high school students, sharing his story and experiences with young people who might be interested in applying. After joining the Naval academy, Shirley realized that West Virginia is underrepresented compared to many other states. He believes students here have more to offer and wants to play a part in encouraging others to apply.
Some of the reason Shirley shared with students on why they should consider attending USNA is that students are guaranteed a job after graduation. They will many different opportunities including trips during the summer. Shirley spent a month of his summer at sea on a destroyer and even spent some time on a submarine. He encourages anyone interested in USNA to participate in the USNA Summer Seminar, which gives students a small taste of what USNA is all about. He also hopes people will consider the USNA Summer STEM program which gives high school students the chance to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.
Shirley is finishing a degree in Quantitative Economics and said it would be bittersweet when he leaves. He’s grown a lot throughout his time at USNA and has made some of the closets friends he’s ever had.
“To me, the Naval Academy is my home, my family,” Shirley said. “West Virginia has some of the kindest people I know. They are the type of people that will give you the shirt off their back, and I see that in the Naval Academy too.”
Shirley will be visiting the Martinsburg High School football team, the Jefferson High School JROTC and several other group throughout the week. For more information about USNA programs, visit https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/ or contact USNA admissions at 410-293-1858.