A gentle spring breeze flowed through the trees at Lake Belton Overlook Pavilion, providing relief to families and friends who gathered to honor the U.S. Military Academy’s newest candidates from Central Texas.
Proud parents and siblings chatted about the accomplishments of their loved ones while enjoying a meal hosted by the Heart of Texas West Point Society.
The honorees are youths from area high schools and the Army who have accepted an appointment to West Point.
Richard Powell, society president, said this year 17 local young people accepted an appointment to West Point.
“I try to tell the kids it’s not an entitlement, that what they’ve been given is a great opportunity to get a really terrific education,” Powell said.
West Point specifically targets teens who have been identified in their class as natural leaders, and Temple has one of the best schools competing, he said.
Thomas “T.J.” Sanderlin, a Killeen graduate from Shoemaker High, said he’s very excited about the appointment and believes it will be “quite an experience from what I hear.”
“I’m kind of looking forward for new experiences and testing myself out to see what I can do. And meeting new people,” he said.
Sanderlin credits participation in ROTC throughout high school and graduating in the top 10 of his class with helping him to achieve his appointment.
Another recent graduate, Connor Green, said although his experience has been fun, it has been physically and academically challenging. “West Point looks for three things,” he said. “A strong mind, strong body and strong leadership.”
Green, a Killeen High grad, said that growing up in a military family helped him decide to go to West Point. His dad, a West Pointer, is a colonel in the military and is now in Iraq. “He loved it there (West Point) and also helped me to decide to go there because I admire so much all the stuff he’s done,” Green said.
Freedom is the answer Green gave when asked what he will miss most. “Being able to decide when I leave and go do my own thing,” he said. Green said he realizes it’s just all part of the experience.
“West Point is the pinnacle of preparation for the military. It’s got everything you could ask for,” he said. “Has a variety of classes you can take, Ivy League level accreditation for school, it’s free, which is always a plus, and they have cool uniforms,” he said with a chuckle.
