This 17-year-old Bristol CC valedictorian flew through college. Next up: the Naval Academy

Matthew Ferreira, Standard-Times
·6 min read

NEW BEDFORD — Ever since setting her sights on becoming a military fighter pilot, New Bedford resident Victoria Perry has had a need for speed. So it's only fitting that she's put herself on an educational fast track that has her graduating from Bristol Community College at age 17 this Saturday as class valedictorian.

For Perry — who begins her studies at the United States Naval Academy in June and is, according to Bristol CC, the college's first midshipman — any accolades received are just small moments in her journey toward the cockpit.

"Over this whole process I haven't really thought about my age — it's just been more about my goal," Perry said of being a younger-than-usual college grad. "It's really been more about mental maturity and academic maturity. I’ve just done whatever I've had to do to complete my goal."

Bristol Community College Valedictorian Victoria Perry, 17, will be starting at the U.S. Naval Academy in June. She currently works in the New Bedford Whaling Museum apprenticeship program, where she helps facilitate children's summer programming.
Bristol Community College Valedictorian Victoria Perry, 17, will be starting at the U.S. Naval Academy in June. She currently works in the New Bedford Whaling Museum apprenticeship program, where she helps facilitate children's summer programming.

Acceptance to the academy is extremely limited with a 9% acceptance rate, according to a press release from Bristol CC.

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Headed to the U.S. Naval Academy

Perry's goal wasn't always so specific, but it began to take shape from an early age.

"My first and foremost goal was to go the academy. I've known I wanted to go there since I was 12," she said, noting she has an older brother who has attended. "Then as I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do there, I saw aviation was an option, so I thought that was interesting and started exploring."

Her curiosity acquainted her with virtual flight simulators which allowed her to "explore the world in a VR setting" while becoming acquainted with controls and key concepts. Eventually a real-life experience would flip her budding interest more decisively into a full-on career goal.

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"My brother had a mentor who has his pilot's license and he'd heard I was interested in being a pilot, so one day he took me up and let me fly. It was the best experience ever," Perry said, noting the flight took place out of Cape Cod about a year ago. "Being able to see for miles and miles away, on your own in the air and being in control — it was a rush."

Eagle Scout wants to serve the country

Even before setting the Naval Academy in her sights, Perry says she already knew the military would be on her horizon. "I am passionate about being in the military and being in service to the country. Service is a big thing in my family," Perry said.

An Eagle Scout, Perry's public service project was aimed at bringing some joy to nursing home and assisted living residents who found themselves isolated during Christmas of 2020 due to strict visiting restrictions. "I collected videos of performers from around the community and put them in a playlist on YouTube," said Perry of the work she made available from the website she started relative to the project, www.covidchristmascarols.com. "My grandmother was in an assisted living center at the time, and she'd call us every day and just sounded so sad that she couldn't see anyone. So I wanted to bring some light and joy to their Christmas season."

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Bristol Community College Valedictorian Victoria Perry, 17, of New Bedford, graduates on Saturday, May 21, after being a homeschooled dual enrollment student with her sights on becoming a fighter pilot.
Bristol Community College Valedictorian Victoria Perry, 17, of New Bedford, graduates on Saturday, May 21, after being a homeschooled dual enrollment student with her sights on becoming a fighter pilot.

On her own; ready for anything

When Perry thinks ahead to her departure to Annapolis, Maryland, next month to begin her studies at the Naval Academy, she notes the excitement of being headed to a new place and looking forward to dorm life. "I loved the area when I visited my brother," she said. "And I love being close to the water so being right by Chesapeake Bay will be awesome."

It will be her first time living away from home, but being independent has never been a problem for Perry, who was homeschooled throughout her educational career.

"As soon as we learned how to read, my parents decided that we could teach ourselves the subjects," Perry said. "It worked really well because now if I'm interested in learning more about a certain subject, I'm able to find ways to teach myself about whatever I'm interested in."

As far as transitioning from complete homeschooling to the type of learning she has experienced as a dual enrollment student at Bristol CC, Perry says the self-directed style of learning she's accustomed to "translates well into the asynchronous college space. I don't have any professor interaction besides office hours and emails," she said.

Additionally, Perry is in her second year in the New Bedford Whaling Museum's apprenticeship program, where she helps facilitate the "Creature Feature" program, promoting learning and activities for school-age children on a new species of marine life every week; and also receives access to school support such as SAT prep and college counseling.

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Not only have her independent learning skills proven invaluable in her education, Perry says they have been key in making important decisions about what direction that education should take.

"I originally wanted to go to the Army to train dogs. Then over the years, my original goal changed and changed, but having that far-reaching thing to work towards, that really got me in a good position to do whatever I want to do," she said, noting having been in dual enrollment courses prior to setting her current goal of being a fighter pilot. "Being able to teach myself and learn what I want to learn based on my own interests, it just helps in every aspect — not just school — and it really promotes critical thinking.

Bristol Community College Valedictorian Victoria Perry, 17, will be starting at the U.S. Naval Academy in June. She currently works in the New Bedford Whaling Museum apprenticeship program, where she helps facilitate children's summer programming.
Bristol Community College Valedictorian Victoria Perry, 17, will be starting at the U.S. Naval Academy in June. She currently works in the New Bedford Whaling Museum apprenticeship program, where she helps facilitate children's summer programming.

"Now at this point ... I could change and not go to the academy, and still be academically ready for whatever program I chose to go into."

Bristol Community College will hold its graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m., at the main campus, 777 Elsbree St., Fall River.

According to Bristol CC, Perry — who is set to receive her associate's degree in engineering science — has actively served the college as vice president of the Student Senate, Open Educational Resources Taskforce Student Ambassador, Grievance Committee Student Representative, Academic Calendar Committee Student Representative and as a member of STEM Starter Academy.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: At 17, Bristol Community College valedictorian flew through college