An unprecedented addition to the array of college acceptance mini flags in the glass display next to the main office is making its debut for the first time in school history — the United States Military Academy West Point flag. 

Forming part of the 10.7% of West Point’s accepted students, senior Sophia Gonzalez- Abreu’s career at this prestigious institution starts this summer, July 1st, where she will join her fellow cadets at Camp Buckner for the six week duration of the basic training course. 

“Basic training consists of climbing a mountain and then repelling down from it, going to gas chambers, and doing and swimming obstacle courses,” Gonzalez-Abreu said. “My graduation from the six weeks of training will be running 14 miles with a 50 pound bag on my back.” 

Part of the renowned military school’s allure is its provision of the plethora of opportunities offered for students to explore and form a well-rounded perspective on life after West Point. 

“When I graduate I am going to be leading America’s future leaders, traveling across the world to see how other countries develop and acquiring worldwide experiences that many of my peers won’t be getting,” Gonzalez-Abreu said. “I’m going to have a job right after college and will be able to gain a lot of first-hand experiences with the military.” 

Other than its prestige, West Point is known for its rigorous and time-consuming application process, consisting of physical exams, stringent academic qualifications, and exemplary letters of recommendation. 

“It was certainly a long process and one that needed to begin way before her senior year. We had to make sure she had all the necessary credits and high school classes that West Point required which were slightly different than what is required of any high school student,” counselor Ms. Camila Estrada said. “Sophie also needed to get four letters of recommendation for West Point. She needed one from a science, math, english, and PE teacher. She had to go through medical testing and also physical testing. Aside from all this she needed a nomination from a senator or congressman and she also needed to interview with them and submit letters of recommendation for them separate from the ones she got for the applications. Even having had all of this, West Point takes into account her grades, her academic progression, her standardized test scores so we had to make sure she was trying her best in it all while completing essays, recommendations and physical tests.”

While other girls put on tiaras and dreamed of being princesses, Sophie has always been set on following her aspirations to form part of the military from a very young age. 

“I was very little when my teacher assigned me a project to ask our parents about their childhood and how it has made them into the person they are today,” Gonzalez-Abreu said. “In the midst of interviewing my dad and hearing about his escape from Cuba and from communism, I realized all this country has given me and my dad. I decided the best way to express my gratitude is to fight, defend, and serve the country that has made my dad’s dreams a reality and has given me a world of opportunities. The best way to accomplish my goal is to join the army.”

Although already grateful for the opportunities she has been granted for far, her hunger for self-sacrifice and for being part of a larger purpose is unwavering. 

“I know going to West Point surprises a lot of people because it’s a very uncommon career path and because it’s hard and sacrificing, but I choose it because I want to challenge myself in every way possible,” Gonzalez-Abreu said. “I want to be part of something bigger than myself and have a purpose during my time at college. At West Point, I will be provided with the opportunity to be surrounded by people who are striving to become leaders of characters, people who are trying to better themselves, and people who have integrity — all goals I have set for myself.”