It was in April 2022 inside the Bridgeport High School classroom of teacher Joshua Irwin. It was homeroom for Ryan Hall in the middle of the school day.

 

As had been the case for a month or longer, Ryan Hall was waiting to find much-needed news on his computer. This was not to see if plans for an upcoming party, a trip with friends, or an item he had purchased, was about to become reality. The stakes, at least for the then BHS senior, were much higher.

 

“It was just before lunch, and I was checking my email. I wanted to know the news because it’s a waiting game and I knew the deadline when you knew one way or the other was at hand,” said Hall. “I had everything done in December (of 2021) for the decision to be made and I had been waiting ever since. That was the day I found out.”

 

His father, Roy Hall, is fairly certain the date his son “found out” was April 15. Today, that date does not matter as much as it did then. The process, what was at stake, mattered tremendously at the time and, if all goes as planned, it will again.

 

For those not following along, Ryan Hall was waiting to see if he had been accepted to the United States Naval Academy. On this particular day, the BHS alum who was a standout in the classroom, on the playing fields, in the community and beyond, was about to learn of his immediate future.

 

“I remember before that day any time I would check, the screen would have a ‘pending review’ message on it regarding my application status. This time it didn’t. It just said I didn’t get in,” Hall said.

 

Not everyone gets in. Then again, not everyone – even though applicants are the best of the best in the nation – had the credentials Hall brought to the table. A student who had never had a B in his life with a 4.0-plus grade point average, zero discipline issues, community servant, and nominated by the entire West Virginia Congressional team of Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito and Congressman David McKinley, had the door to a dream closed on him.

 

“This may sound odd, and it’s hard to say it this way because some may not understand, but there was a sense of relief before because I could set my future to whether it was the Academy or WVU,” said Hall. “Then, the reality of being devastated on so many levels arrived. This was what I worked for, why I did all the applications for each nomination, the medical exams, the physical ability tests, the interviews, the letters of recommendation. When I saw it, I thought it was all for nothing. That was devastating.”

 

He told his mother Jodi first, which was difficult. He then told his father Roy, which he said was even more of an issue.

 

“It was more difficult because of all the work my father put into it from researching the Naval Academy to networking with so many people. I felt so bad because I watched the amount of time that he put into it. That was hard,” said Hall. “I wasn’t afraid to tell them, it was just difficult to tell them.”

 

His father remembers the disappointment. And he remembers something else.

 

“He was disappointed, but not frustrated, which I think spoke volumes to his maturity level. But you knew it hurt. He is wired to serve his country, and it looked like the path he worked for was altered significantly,” said his father.

 

For those thinking this is a sad story of not realizing a dream. Understand it is not. It is one of resilience, and one of choosing to follow the path least traveled in order to do what his father said is instilled in his son – to serve. It is a positive story even though the ending has yet to be written.

 

A recent press release of academy nominations from Manchin, for the first time I can ever recall, did not have a single Bridgeport High School student on it. It was surprising enough I forwarded it to colleague Chris Johnson who, thankfully, noticed a “Ryan Hall, West Virginia University.” Although a common name, it was worth checking with his father. In quick order, I found out that Ryan Hall – a first-year student at WVU – applied again. This time for the Naval Academy and United States Air Force Academy.

 

I was shocked to learn he was not already in. I had not followed Ryan Hall after the year ended and just assumed he was accepted. If ever there was a kid cut from the service academy cloth, Ryan Hall was the poster boy.

 

Yet here we are. Even though my knowledge of the service academy selection process is limited at best, I asked both father and son if there were any hangups. Even though there were hurdles he should have easily cleared, they talked about them.

 

First, was one thing no one could control. With West Virginia having three members in Congress instead of four, the number of West Virginians eligible by way of the nomination process is reduced.

 

The second thing stacking the odds in a way more difficult than others, Hall wanted to be one of just 15 out of the class, in the 1,500 range, to be granted a medical billet, which allows for medical or dental school. It is highly difficult, but highly rewarding as it has an affiliation with Bethesda (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) and would aid toward the goal of being an orthopedic surgeon.

 

The third thing working against Hall, but something many who make the cut overcome, was he was disqualified on the medical front. Essentially, the application is turned down by the Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Review Board. (DOBMERB).

 

The reason? A labrum tear from his freshman year of high school followed by surgery after his sophomore year of football.

 

However, Hall submitted a medical waiver that required a physical review by a Naval-approved physician. Two months later, he was in Monongalia County getting that review and he passed, and the first application process continued.

 

It ended last April with the notification he was not accepted. The end proved to be the start of a new beginning. Not surprisingly, there was a pretty impressive backup plan. He earned a spot in the Honors Chemistry program at WVU – no small task. So far, he is a 4.0 student with first year classes such as calculus and chemistry that, he admits, are challenging.

 

“I came to WVU, and my plan changed, but I had a new plan laid out. I would graduate here, apply to medical school, and see where that took me,” he said. “But I realized I wanted more than that. I need to know what else I can do,” said Hall.

 

That leads back to the press release from Manchin. Hall reapplied to the Naval Academy. He has also applied to the Air Force Academy. Interviews with all three Congressional members – this time with Congressman Alex Mooney – will be part of the agenda.

 

“I’m still working hard at WVU, but the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy offer opportunities to a path different than the one I’m on,” he said.

 

This time, he is not applying to go into the medical side of an academy. The reason is twofold.

 

“My desire is to serve. Plus, I’d like to fly and have the possibility do to that at both of the academies. The commitment to serve is much longer, but ultimately, I would be much happier,” said Ryan.

 

Here is the thing: If Hall gets accepted, his first year at West Virginia University – all of the high-level classes, all of the AP work done in high school – is for nothing. He starts back at square one with all the work not counting toward anything at an academy. And he is more than fine with that.

 

Here is the other thing: Ryan Hall knows he is not guaranteed a spot at either academy, but to no surprise has plans in place if not accepted.

 

“If still on the medical school route, I’m looking at Officer’s Candidate School where I 100 percent will join the military because I don’t see my desire to serve going away. I believe the best choice would be the Navy and practice medicine there,” said Hall. “… The plan if it goes in this direction, ideally, would see me become a flight doctor after going to flight school. You don’t fly, but you train for it and do surgeries and medical treatment in flight.”

 

With Officers Training School, Roy Hall said you apply to a branch of the service after the completion of your junior year of college. You do basic training and then complete your senior year of college and when you enter the service, you enter as an officer.

 

Even, somehow, if that did not work out, Hall will continue the grind. He will serve and, hopefully, do so in a medical setting.

 

“I feel good about my applications to the academies, and I feel good about what I’ve accomplished,” said Hall. “At the same time, I would be disappointed if it doesn’t happen again, but no matter where I go, I’ll figure out what’s the best path for me and the best way to serve.”

 

I have no doubt about it. This is a young man who, according to his father, is as selfless as he is different. And different in the best way possible.

 

“Jodi and I parented a kid that was difficult to parent in a good way because he did just about everything right with an amazing character,” Roy said. “Here’s this kid who is really mature and, really, an old soul with a drive he knows won’t go away to serve … I know my son and I truly believe the military needs people now, more than ever, of his caliber and character.

 

“If this doesn’t work out, I’m sure he’ll be devastated. He’s done what he can,” Roy continued. “The thing I fall back on is that no matter what happens is that he’s equipped to handle it. No matter what direction this goes, he’ll find success.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Ryan Hall during an early visit to the Naval Academy, while he's shown making a tackle in 2022 as part of the BHS football team. In the third and most recent photo, Ryan, far left, is shown with sister Landon Hall, brother Patrick far right, and Patrick's fiance Olivia Lopez.  In the fourth photo, Hall is shown in his "Student of the Month" photo at BHS. In the fourth image, Hall is with his mother Jodi shortly after high school graduation. In the fifth photo, Ryan, middle, is shown with brothers Patrick, left, and Harrison. Ryans' grandfather, a U.S. Marine and former Navy Intelligence Officer who helped instill his love of the military, the late Robert "Bob" Hall, is in the back. Bottom photo is from senior day at BHS football with mom Jodi and father Roy. Football photos by Joe LaRocca; all other photos courtesy of the family of Ryan Hall.