THERON BENEDICT of ALBANY
Current LBCC STUDENT
NAVY NUCLEAR Recruit
South Albany High GRAD
Instead of spending the summer hanging out with his friends, Theron Benedict went to work. He made enough money to build a nice "gamer" computer, and the experience resonates within Benedict's ambitions as a United States Naval Nuclear Engineer.
After graduating South Albany High School early, Benedict is attending LBCC with hopes of supplementing his Navy education with "a few interesting topics." he said.
Benedict is from Albany, and his mother also attended LBCC. "I am taking Psychology and History this term, before I ship out," said Benedict.
The Navy process is a hands-on, micro-managed supervision. Benedict already is under stringent rules as to personal healthcare, public activity, and school. Substance use is not allowed, and physical requirements include running, push-ups, and sit-ups.
Even though he leaves in December, Benedict hasn't really tried to spend time with friends or hobbies. The recently built computer is often on and buzzing with a game, and Benedict sees his friends at school. "It's pretty typical," he said.
This Navy whiz-kid's current video game focus is threefold: Crusader Kings 2, Borderlands, and Civilization. "The gameplay is realistic and provides a good strategy platform to enjoy the nuances of Middle-Age Europe," said Benedict.
A summer job has helped not only afford the games, but also allowed Benedict to build himself a gaming personal computer. "It is a bunch of very good components and one really fast graphics card. So fast, it has three fans all to itself," said Benedict.
Benedict is used to hard work being hard work, and he takes the guidelines seriously. As we sat and chatted over lunch, Benedict sipped water. The Navy requires him to be at 191 pounds soon. "I weigh 196, so I am trying to get there," Benedict said.
The young Navy prospect has two classes currently, and neither is hard on the young man. An avid reader, college curriculum comes easily to Benedict, and this is not lost on the subject matter. "Doctor Harrison is zany, creative, and passionate," Benedict said about his History teacher.
He has average music taste, and enjoys pop music as well as classic rock. Benedict also enjoys computer science, and he and his friends do computer work for a small living. Paying for his current classes "out of pocket," this kind of work helps Benedict appreciate the value of both education and money.
Like many young men in the Willamette Valley, Benedict follows Oregon Duck Football, and enjoys weekend games. He also enjoys Boy Scouts and his local church. Benedict likes helping community members and family, and those tasks have included yard maintenance and hauling newspapers for fundraising.
"The Navy is getting a hard-working and dedicated young man," said proud mother Heidi Benedict. And hard work is what the Nuclear Engineering School is about. Concerning the Nuclear Program's high dropout rate, I asked Theron Benedict what is most intimidating about this next chapter in life. Benedict responded by saying, "I just know I have to be the best."
In Chicago, where Benedict will go to Navy Basic Training, winter will be raging when he sets foots on Navy ground. "I'm a shorts and t-shirt guy, it's going to be cold," he said.
After Basic Training, Benedict will head to South Carolina for two years of intense Nuclear Engineering training. After working at High Desert Hay Company this past summer, Benedict is prepared and has long-term goals.
Benedict is already preparing for State or Federal Office.
"I plan to run for the Presidency in 2036," he said.
Well, you have my vote, I thought out loud.
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