Incoming 2020/2021 Chisum High School senior Cayden Day, recently received an invitation to apply to the prestigious West Point Military Academy.
“Having reviewed your high school records, I see that you are a high-achieving academic scholar with a demonstrated commitment to excellence. Clearly, you are built for leadership, which is why I invite you to apply to the United States Military Academy at West Point,” wrote U.S. Army Colonel Deborah J. McDonald, Director of Admissions.
Former Paris area Texas Army National Guard recruiter, Staff-Sergeant (SSG) Rasheen Davis said that he had submitted Day’s SAT scores and academic portfolio once he was enlisted. Now with Day having received the letter from West Point Military Academy, he couldn’t be happier for his recruit.
“PV2 (Private Second-Class) Day is an exceptional kid, and to have this opportunity to apply to West Point is a great achievement for him,” said SSG Davis.
PV2 Day may still only be 17-years-old, but with his enlistment into the Texas Army National Guard, he is currently based at Fort Benning, GA, completing his first basic training phase. Once he graduates from Chisum next spring, he will go back to training to complete his second phase.
SSG Davis said that PV2 Day is the third of his family that he had enlisted, with PV2 Day following in the footsteps of his father, who is currently a Sergeant in the Texas Army National Guard, and his sister who finished her service as Private First-class.
“I am very proud to have PV2 Day as the first recruit of mine to have ever received such an honor to apply to West Point. To my knowledge, he may even be the first recruit from Paris to receive this opportunity,” said SSG Davis.
The U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, known as USMAPS, the Prep School, or West Point Prep, was formally established in 1946, but the history of “prepping” Soldiers for West Point has been done since Congress enacted legislation in 1916 authorizing Soldier appointments to West Point. The school exists today as an avenue of opportunity to a carefully selected group of Soldiers and civilians by providing them the academic, leadership, and physical skills that will prepare them for success as Cadets at the United States Military Academy.