CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. -- Robert Robine may seem like any other 17-year-old boy, but the North Star senior is showing maturity beyond his years by possibly becoming the first student at his school to ever be accepted to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

"I realized that it would be a wise decision for me," said Robine. "I can give back to the nation that's given to me for 17 and a half years now."

Robine is a candidate for the academy, and after filling out mounds of paperwork, he is now waiting on nominations from Rep. John Murtha and Sen. Bob Casey and Sen. Arlen Specter. For Robine, it's a long process that is worth every second.

"I feel it's not only a privilege but an honor to be able to do this," said Robine.

Getting a degree at the academy won't be a cake-walk. They get 14,000 applications a year and only 1,200 are accepted. However, Robine has a resume that would impress even the toughest critic. He's a singer in his school's chorus, an Eagle Scout, a member of the forensics team and the speech team. He's involved in the church choir, the Johnstown civics band, the youth orchestra and Robine is the kicker on the North Star football team. As if that's not enough, he then jumps onto the field at half-time to be part of the marching band. Robine can play several different instruments.

"I very much respect him for doing that," said band teacher Keith Kuckenbrod. "It has to be hard going to football practice, band practice and everything else. To put that much dedication in everything he does is something special."

"Special" is the perfect word for Robine's life. On top of his other activities, he has developed a love of science and math and he plans to become a nuclear physicist with dreams of working on military submarines.

"I think it's amazing," said chemistry teacher Matt Statler. "I have a lot of respect for him. It's a challenge, but I think he's the type of person who is up for that challenge."

His teachers call Robine a leader in everything he does. He's always willing to help out his fellow students. So how did he become such a successful teen? As life teaches, look to the supportive parents.

"Like I always tell him, nothing comes easy," said Donna Robine. "The harder you have to work for it, the more rewarding it is at the end."