DAPHNE — Bayside junior Courtney Payne has been selected to attend the 2007 Academy Introduction Mission Summer Program at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn.

Payne was selected based on a variety of criteria including her online application, teacher recommendation, two written essays and her most recent high school transcript. The AIM program selects approximately 450 to 500 rising seniors for the program each year. Students eligible for the program must be a junior in high school, a U.S. citizen, in good health and physical condition, able to run, do push-ups and sit-ups, and endure the heat and humidity.

Payne said she first became interested in the Coast Guard almost two years ago when she saw news footage of the Coast Guard rescuing Hurricane Katrina victims from flooding waters.

“I saw the rescue efforts and it really inspired me,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed helping others and the Coast Guard seems like it could be a good fit for me.”

In order to prepare for the summer program, Payne has been training to keep her body in shape to ensure that she can meet the physical demands of the program. On her own time, she does sit-ups and push-ups, and as a member of Bayside’s cross country team, she will be training with the team this summer.

Depending on her experience in the AIM program, Payne hopes her commitment to the Coast Guard won’t end this summer.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after my senior year,” Payne said. “If everything goes well at the program this summer, I plan to attend the Coast Guard after I graduate if I am accepted.”

In addition to cross country, Payne is a member of Bayside’s Environmental Club, the Girls Service Club and the Key Club. She is the daughter of Juan and Pam Payne and has a brother, Mitchell, who graduated from Bayside in 2006.

“We are very proud that Courtney got accepted into the program,” said Payne’s mother. “As parents, we want her to be happy and do what interests her and we are very supportive.”

(Submitted by Lizzie Green-Burns)