Todd Sullivan, an Oxford high school student, will graduate in May and embark on the next adventure of his life–the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
‘The Point?, where the Army trains young men and women to become officers, accepts about 12 percent of its annual applicants. Sullivan’s credentials indeed are impressive.
In the PSAT he’s in the 98th percentile. He scored a 1340 on his SAT and a 30 on his ACT. Sullivan has a grade point average of 3.88 and has even taken college courses in Physics, Calculus I, Trigonometry and College Albebra.
Sullivan is not a student at Oxford High School, but rather is a homeschooled student.
‘Being homeschooled is obviously different from other types of schooling,? Sullivan said. ‘But I’d say that it helps you a little more with getting stuff done as long as you take correct classes and do the curriculum, which we are. It teaches you to manage your own time. If anything, it actually helps you in the process.?
‘West Point was very impressed [with Todd],?? said his mother, Lisa Sullivan. ‘They had no trouble with the homeschooling aspect. It’s looked upon favorably as long as you have the test scores to support it.?
She added that besides academics and athleticism, her son displayed something else the academy looks for–leadership.
When not being home schooled and when not at college, Sullivan keeps a very busy schedule. He’s a Cadet Captain in the Civil Air Patrol and has received numerous awards for his service. He’s also a brown belt in Judo and has participated in many competitions. On top of those, he’s a certified scuba diver, volunteers at various charities and even has operated a lawn-mowing business for three years.
Sullivan’s journey to get accepted at West Point began about a year ago with what he described as an ‘extremely long? application process. He wrote essays and applied for a nomination from a congressman. Then there were interviews, including being interviewed by someone from West Point.
Even after he received a nomination, it wasn’t a guarantee he’d be accepted at West Point. This past fall he received a letter of assurance stating that if he was accepted they would reserve a cadetship for him.
Finally, on Feb. 2, Congressman Mike Rogers from the U.S. House of Representatives announced that Sullivan had been appointed to the academy.
‘Todd is an outstanding young man who is to be congratulated for taking on this new challenge as he works and studies to become a leader among those who defend our nation,? Rogers said. ‘Appointments to the military academies are based on character, leadership potential and academics, all characteristics he has clearly demonstrated. We are very proud of Todd and I am pleased to have nominated him to the academy.?
For Sullivan, going to West Point is not only the fulfillment of a lifelong dream of becoming an Army officer but also continuing a family tradition of military service.
Both of his grandfathers served in the military, one as an Army captain in World War II and the Korean War and the other in the Amry Air Corps during WWII.
His uncle is a retired Air Force colonel who was also a pilot.
‘West Point seemed the best path to follow to become the most effective officer,? Sullivan said.
Mrs. Sullivan, no doubt, is very proud of her son and is confident he’ll do well in New York and will become a second lieutenant in the Army upon graduation in 2013.