Ensign ready for deeper waters.

Byline: Karen McCowan The Register-Guard

Even as a freshman world geography student, 2003 Sheldon International High School graduate Meagan Kearney showed the traits of a future leader.

"I remember how amazingly in tune she was, every day," recalled Daniel Gallo, Kearney's social studies teacher throughout her four years in the international program. "She was one of those rare students who just didn't have an off day. Her hand wasn't shooting up all the time, but when she spoke, there was gravity. She was so bright and wise that whenever she said something, it added lots of depth to the discussion."

Eight years later, Gallo's first impression of Kearney was publicly confirmed. In a ceremony at the White House May 17, Kearney was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer. U.S. Secretary of Defense William Gates pinned the ensign's stripes on her dress whites.

As a standout ROTC student and linguistics major at the University of Arizona, Kearney was one of just 55 new officers selected from thousands of ROTC students nationwide for the first-ever joint commissioning ceremony.

The event, which began with an address by President George W. Bush, "was incredible," Kearney said.

"It wasn't just the anticipation of the president coming in, but the number of top military leaders sitting in the audience, looking at us, and all the media cameras there," she said. " It was very intimidating but very exciting."

In remarks before the actual commissioning, the president praised the new crop of officers for taking up the task in dangerous times.

"Many of you were still in high school when terrorists brought death and destruction to our streets on Sept. 11, 2001," he noted, adding: "When it came time to be counted, each one of you volunteered, knowing full well the risks involved during a time of war."

But Kearney, "always pretty patriotic," had long wanted to serve in the miliary.

"The events of 911, if anything, pushed me toward it even more," she said. "I knew it was important for people like me to volunteer and help defend our country."

Kearney said she was surprised by her selection for the White House honor, despite ranking second in the nation as a surface warfare student.

Because of her aptitude for operating ships and shipboard systems, she was allowed to choose the first ship she'll serve on.

She reports for duty June 14 on the San Diego-based USS Howard. The 500-foot destroyer is equipped with surface-to-air and cruise missiles, antisubmarine rockets and torpedoes, and underwater surveillance equipment.

She anticipates no problems with sea-sickness or cabin fever. "I've already been out on the water for a couple months during summer training," she said.

She traces her interest in the Navy to two things. As a girl, she loved books about ship life, particularly "The Terrible Hours," Peter Maas' account of a World War II submarine rescue. And her maternal grandfather was a Korean war naval veteran who told stories about his experiences.

Kearney hopes to make the Navy her career, eventually commanding her own ship.

"She's quite capable of that," Gallo said. "She's very bright, very calm, very even-tempered, very capable of understanding a multitude of perspectives - the type of person you want want in a command position."

U.S. NAVY ENSIGN MEAGAN KEARNEY

Age: 22

Claim to Fame: The 2003 Sheldon and International High School graduate represented Arizona at a May 17 White House commissioning ceremony for top Reserve Officer Training Corps graduates.

Family: Mother Robin Kearney, now of Albany; father Marty Kearney of Los Angeles; brother Ryan, attending Montana State University.

Education: Bachelor's degree in linguistics, University of Arizona, 2007

Role Model: Her mother, a single parent who worked two jobs to support Kearney and her brother.

Favorite Historical Figure: Benjamin Franklin

Now Reading: "Teach Yourself Networking in 24 Hours"

Listens to: Classical, country, rock

Five-, 10- and 20-Year Goals: Get supervisory qualifications for Navy leadership; serve as ship department head; command a ship.