By David Fleet
Editor
Carter Macias, 18, a Groveland Township resident and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory graduate will be attending the United States Military Academy. He will be reporting on July 2.
The United States Military Academy was founded in 1802 and is located in West Point, N.Y., north of New York City. The current undergraduate enrollment is about 4,300 cadets. Their tuition is funded by the U.S. Army in return for an active-service duty obligation.
‘When I was young I dressed up as soldier,” he said.

“I was inspired by my grandfather Antonio Macias who served in Vietnam. He was injured during combat and received the Purple Heart, but he returned home safely.”
While at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory Carter earned a 4.21 gpa and was ranked third in the graduating class of 2018. The admission to West Point included a nomination from Mike Bishop, U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 8th congressional district.
Macias a 5-foot-10-inches, 175 pound leadoff hitter tallied a .387 career batting average while at St Mary’s. His favorite player is former Tiger and current Toronto Blue Jay outfielder-leadoff man Curtis Granderson.
“I played travel baseball and made the St. Mary’s team as a freshman,” he said. “When I was a junior I visited West Point for a baseball camp. After the camp was over the coach asked me to stay back when the other players went home. They asked me to come to West Point that day.”
Following seven weeks of basic training, cadets can return home at Labor Day. Family can visit during the training.
I’m ready for it,” said Macias. “The military aspect is not going to be hardest for me—the academics is more of a challenge. But, I work hard, my family is very disciplined. I want to lead soliders in the field. I love this country and I want to serve and protect this nation. I feel like that’s my responsibility—to protect the freedom of our country and the freedom of other people.”
Most graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army and serve a minimum of five years of active duty.
“I’m hearing the food is not so great in the Army,” laughed Macias. “I like good food.”
Carter is the son Glori and Antonio Macias of Groveland Township.