Five Cherokee County School District Class of 2020 graduating seniors are headed to our nation’s elite U.S. Service Academies!
Acceptance to one on the country’s elite military academies is a prestigious honor, as enrollment is very limited with appointees selected based on excellent records of academic performance, athletic achievement, leadership skills and community service.
Two CCSD seniors, Lizette Van der Walt of Creekview HS and Savannah Bray of Etowah HS, have been chosen for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; and three Cherokee HS seniors have been selected for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis: Caitlin Costello, DJ Kinney and Sydney Watts.
Only about 1,200 students nationwide are accepted annually to each of these two Academies, which consistently report acceptance rates of less than 10%.
“It’s an honor to congratulate these graduates and thank them for making this commitment to our country,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “While in our halls, our classrooms and our athletic arenas, these students have distinguished themselves: as scholars, athletes, leaders, volunteers and friends. My heart is filled with pride, as I know are the hearts of all who know them and have helped them on their path to success.”
While the Academies’ vetting process is rigorous, and acceptance means agreement to active-duty military service, these five CCSD graduates will receive fully paid tuition at internationally renowned programs and commissioned officer salary, among other benefits. The Academies’ graduates include U.S. Presidents and cabinet members, military leaders, ambassadors, Nobel Prize winners, Fortune 500 CEOs, scientists, judges, engineers, doctors and astronauts, among their diverse and impressive alumni.
The five CCSD graduating seniors are well-known in their schools for many accomplishments, and also are known throughout the community for athletic successes.
A state record-breaker whose jersey was retired in her honor, Savannah’s numerous awards include Georgia Volleyball Player of the Year and the Gatorade Georgia Volleyball Player of the Year. Sydney has helped lead the Cherokee High School Lady Warriors basketball team to consecutive Region titles and State finals. DJ is a three-year letterman for track and field and Athlete of the Meet winner; Caitlin is an all-county swimmer, known for her swift freestyle; and Lizette scores in lacrosse, helping lead the Lady Grizzlies to the postseason.
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