By Joseph Pratt
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When it comes to having a military career, nothing is more prestigious than having West Point involvement on your resume and a local student is starting just that this summer. Alex Powell, a junior at Minford High School, has been selected to be among 1,000 attendees at West Point’s prestigious Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) this June.
“I was encouraged to pursue West Point, because it is such a prestigious institute and a lot of successful people have graduated from there,” Powell explained. “I thought it was worth looking into and I decided it was something I’d like to do, too.”
Powell said he hadn’t considered a military career before, but he would definitely pursue it if he graduated West Point. Powell said he is considering working in business and economics.
“It is an honor to receive admission into this summer program. It is really tough to get into and not many people make it,” Powell said. “I plan on making the most of it and I am really thankful for the opportunity.”
Powell will have his first taste of higher education through this program and says he is looking forward to it.
“I am real excited and I look forward to seeing what it is like to be there,” Powell said.
More than 5,000 juniors nationwide applied to SLE, which offers outstanding high school juniors the opportunity to experience life at West Point. SLE attendees live in the cadet barracks (dormitories), eat in the Cadet Mess, and participate in academic, leadership, athletic, and military workshops. The one-week seminars are designed to help juniors with their college-selection process, while giving them an idea of the importance of leadership and sound decision-making in their education, careers, and lives, in general.
All SLE attendees participate in virtual-reality war simulation, military and physical fitness training, and, in addition, each student selects three of the 15 offered workshops.
“We are extremely excited for Alex to receive this opportunity this summer. He is a hardworking, dedicated student who is more than deserving of this honor,” Sindee Williams, Minford Local Schools guidance counselor, said. “We have experienced, through his leadership with our Quiz Bowl team and academics, what a wonderful role model he is for our younger students. We are very proud of his achievement.”
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federally funded undergraduate college located 50 miles north of New York City. A preeminent leader-development institution, West Point was founded in 1802 as America’s first college of engineering. Since then, West Point has grown in size and stature, but remains committed to the task of producing commissioned leaders of character for America’s Army.
The application process can be lengthy and challenging, requiring the approval from a member of U.S. Congress and the passing of lengthy physical and mental testing. Applicants also cannot be married and cannot be legally responsible for supporting a child.
Powell will be pursing admission into the program.
For more information about West Point, go to http://www.usma.edu/admissions.