In the four years since Zachariah R. Miller was named The Herald's Academic Excellence Award Winner, the 1998 Lakeview High School graduate has traveled the world and participated in many different assignments as a West Point cadet.

But when he spoke to the members of the Academic Excellence Team Thursday at Sharon Country Club, he said he was happy to be back in western Pennsylvania.

"It feels good to be back in western Pennsylvania," he said. "There's just something about western Pennsylvania that's special. It's good to be back."

In December, Miller was selected as a Rhodes Scholar, which entitles him to study at Oxford University in England for two years.

Miller, the son of Keith and Rosalyn Miller of Stoneboro, graduates from the United States Military Academy at West Point next month. From there he will attend U.S. Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, Ga., and then go to Washington, D.C., before heading off to England in October.

Miller told the Academic Excellence Team that he was there for three reasons: for the accomplishments of the students, the contributions of their teachers and the support from their parents. He also recognized his own parents.

"I have two absolutely wonderful parents who loved me and supported me for 21 years of my life," Miller said. "Thank you guys for all that you have done."

After his graduation, Miller, who will have a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and political science, will be commissioned as a second lieutenant.

"I'm going to be an Army officer, and hopefully help to defend our country, our values and our way of life," Miller said. "After my time in uniform is over, I hope to continue to serve my country, maybe as a politician."

Miller said he did not start thinking about going into the military until high school, when he considered West Point.

The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 helped to sharpen his focus.

"One of the things that it's done is give a purpose to the military. It really focused everybody, especially at West Point, to go out and serve their purpose."

During his time at West Point, in the summer of 2000, Miller was the platoon leader for 2nd Platoon, D Battery, 1-4 Air Defense Artillery, a regular Army unit based in Wackernheim, Germany. In the summer of 2001, he commanded E Company, Cadet Basic Training and was responsible for 180 cadets engaged in basic training. Also during the summer of 2001, Miller assisted refugee children in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan near the Caspian Sea.

Miller is a graduate of U.S. Army Airborne School and has completed five parachute jumps. He has also received the Distinguished Cadet Award, which is given to cadets who excel in academic, military and physical areas of endeavor.

In addition to being selected as a Rhodes Scholar, Miller was named a Truman Scholar in May 2001.