There’s at least one high school senior in Artesia who won’t be lounging around the house all summer before going off to college.

Theo Williams will move "Full Speed Ahead" into the next chapter of his life when he reports to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. on June 28 — a little more than a month after graduating from Artesia High.

Williams was nominated by Rep. Joe Skeen, R-N.M. and will be one of only 1,000 students nationally to be appointed to the Midshipmen Class of 2006.

"It’s a real honor," said the senior. "There are only 1,000 students per class at the Academy, so to be a part of that feels pretty great."

Although military life was not in his original plans for after high school, he said that he is excited and proud to be heading to Annapolis for his education.

"My parents made me go to camp there last summer and at first I didn’t want anything to do with it," he said. "When I got back though, I knew that was where I wanted to go to school. It’s a great campus and there’s a lot of tradition there — I’m happy with it now."

Williams started as a slot receiver for the state champion Bulldog football team this year, and was co-captain of the District 4 and Regional champion Bulldog basketball team that lost in the state semifinals to eventual champion Kirtland Central.

In the 4A state football game in Albuquerque last season, Williams was one of the Bulldogs’ top threats throughout the first half, catching numerous balls off the line and turning the short plays into yardage and first downs for his team. He also scored the first touchdown of the game on a 16-yard reception in the first quarter.

"It was just a lot of fun to go to Albuquerque and prove to that part of the state that we were the best team, because nobody thought we’d win," he said smiling. "We knew we could get the job done and it was just a great feeling to win it as a senior."

His football career may not be over just yet.

Williams said that he plans to walk-on to the football team at Navy, which is a big step into a tradition filled program that wants nothing more than to beat Army every year.

Williams is confident about making the team, but knows that playing Div. 1 college football will be different than he’s used to.

Bulldog coach Cooper Henderson said that whether or not Williams plays football, he is proud and excited about him being appointed to the academy.

"I’m very excited about Theo representing our nation as a member of the Naval Academy," said Henderson. "He’s not only been an outstanding athlete, but he’s an outstanding individual as well. His character stands out in everything he does and Artesians should be proud about having a young man like him representing this town and our nation at the Naval Academy."

Although Maryland is quite a long way from the City of Champions and his family, Williams has a number of family members on the east coast and is not a stranger to the way of life on that side of the nation. His mother’s sister lives in Silver Springs, Md. — only about 15 minutes from the Naval Academy by car.

Nevertheless, Williams said he will miss his family and friends and that there will be an adjustment period.

"It’s going to be a lot different, but the people there are nice and it’s a nice area," Williams said. "It will take some getting used to, but it will be nice. I’m ready for it."

Now near the end of his time as a Bulldog athlete, Williams still has his eyes focused on winning one more title — the 2002 4A State Track and Field title.

He competes in the 110 and 300-meter hurdles and also competes in the triple jump and high jump for the Bulldogs.

How does he like his team’s chance at bringing home the blue trophy?

"We’re getting better every week and we should be real strong by state," he said. "I think we’ll be right in the thick of it. We should be peaking during district and state, so I think we’ll do real well."

Williams credits his family — which consists of his parents Rhiny and Donna and his younger sister Tami — with making him into the person he is today.

"I’d really like to thank my parents for their support and advice throughout the years and my sister for always cheering me on," he said. "They’ve always been there for me and I can’t thank them enough."