Pocahontas High Senior Receives Senatorial Nominations to West Point
PCHS Senior Tyler Owens
PCHS Senior Tyler Owens has a lot to be proud of. A great academic record and being a starting wide receiver for the Warrior Football team are among those things. Now Tyler can add Senatorial nominations to West Point to those accomplishments. Only one such nomination is required by West Point, but Tyler received nominations from both our U.S. Senators. Pocahontas County can be proud of Tyler too. We recently asked Tyler some questions about this.
What prompted you to want to go to West Point?
“Since about the age of 10, I wanted to serve my country in any way I could” said Tyler. “It just seemed right to me.”
I asked Tyler why he chose West Point over the Naval Academy or Air Force Academy. He told me he was influenced by his older brother Bill, who is an active duty Army Officer but he also added this.
“Annapolis is a big city, and Air Force is far away” replied Tyler. “West Point is kind of like in between. You’ve got mountains, a good view and everything. I like where it’s placed. I like the environment.
How hard did you have to work to qualify?
“There is a lot of work” said Tyler “had to keep A’s and B’s, mostly A’s. I had a few B’s. I kind of slacked off my freshman year, but really it kind of struck me that it’s important and I have to keep striving towards my goal.”
What kind of grades must you maintain to be considered?
”Mostly A’s” said Tyler. “You can have a few B’s, but definitely no C’s, nor C’s at all.”
What was involved in getting these Senatorial Nominations to West Point?
“I had to get on their website and fill out an application” said Tyler. “And then if you are good enough they schedule an interview for you and (I) got interviews for them.(Senator Shelley Moore) Capito’s was her and like 7 other people consisting of West Point graduates, retired generals- people like that. And they interviewed me and said why I wanted to Go? Tell me about yourself?..things like that. “
Was your interview with Senator Manchin similar?
“Yes” replied Tyler. “It was an active duty officer, and two other ladies. I am not sure what their affiliation was.”
Did the current Radical Islamic Terror threats against America affect your decision to seek a military career?
“All these threats and attacks just add to the reasons to go to defend my country” said Tyler.
Tyler went on to thank his teachers and talked about his appreciation of his community and Pocahontas High school.
“Thanks for being there and supporting me” said Tyler. “I’d like to thank my teachers for pushing me through school and supporting me knowing I could do it” said Tyler.”It’s a nice place here; nice people , nice view. There are better opportunities in other counties with bigger schools, but I think from where we are, it’s a great school to go to.”
Tyler offered some advice to new high school students who might also like to attend West Point or one of the other Military Service Academies.
“I’d say, keep your grades high, focus, know what you want to do” advises Tyler. “Set your goals high and whatever you want to do, go for it. Don’t let anything stop you. Anything in your way -just look past it and say ‘this is my goal, I have to get there’. Achieve it!”
Once Tyler’s appointment to West Point is finalized, he is looking forward to reporting to the Academy as a first year Cadet – or “Plebe” on June 29th to attend “BEAST” a sort of basic training. Classes start in early August. Congratulations Tyler on your nomination, and best of luck finalizing your admission, in your years at West Point and throughout your military career.
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