FRANKLIN FURNACE - At 17, Zachary Harr is ready to answer his country's call, but for now he's trying not to wait around by the phone.

The senior at South Webster High School was one of 18 Ohio students in the sixth congressional district nominated by U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland to attend a military service academy after graduation.

Harr has narrowed his selections down to the United States Air Force Academy or the United States Naval Academy. He won't know whether he has received an appointment until the end of this school year.

"It's an honor to be nominated even if I don't get selected," he said proudly.

Every year, senators and congressmen have the opportunity to nominate a certain number of high school students to the four academies that also include the United States Military Academy at West Point and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Strickland relies on a committee of business leaders, military parents and clergy to help narrow the field down to a few applicants.

"I try to keep this process very fair and objective," Strickland said. "I do that by having a committee do the interviews for me. … Unfortunately, not all the students that are nominated will be deemed acceptable (by the academies)."

Competition is fierce for the few available appointments, Strickland said. His committee looks for well-rounded students with a high GPA, excellent overall health condition and participation in a variety of extracurricular activities.

"I just feel so proud of these young people," Strickland said. "They are the very best our region and our country can produce. I just feel fortunate to establish a relationship with them and to be a part of making this opportunity available to them."

Such an opportunity seems worth the wait for the young man looking to the skies for his future.

Harr's ultimate goal is to specialize in aeronautical engineering-a concentration one academy in particular could help make a reality.

"I'm leaning more toward the Air Force now," Harr said. "It will just make life a little easier."

In the event that he is accepted to both academies, Harr can take his choice between the two.

Just in case an appointment fails to materialize, the senior is making plans to attend Wright State University's pre-engineering program. From there, Harr would try pursue an aeronautical concentration.

If appointed, Harr's education and training would be paid in full - an experience worth approximately $250,000, Strickland said.

But Harr's reason for going after the nomination was not merely focused on the potential, financial bottom line.

"I saw it as a chance to serve my family and my country," he said.

His father, great-grandfather and several uncles all spent time in the military. Despite that background, his mother was less than enthusiastic at the prospect of her son going to a military academy, Harr said.

"My dad was all for it," he said. "My mom wasn't happy at first, but she's gotten used to it. But in the end it's my overall decision."

That kind of determination is exactly what the United States requires of its best and brightest, Strickland said.

"The nation needs this kind of highly educated, highly trained, highly disciplined person to provide leadership in our military, " he said.