By Hanna Singh
A dedicated senior from Choudrant High School, Wade Watson, has earned a conditional acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Watson met the initial requirements and had the opportunity to visit the prestigious academy in New York over the summer. Now, he is focused on completing the final steps to secure full acceptance into West Point or another military academy.
Watson isn’t the first in his family to be accepted into a military institution. He follows in the footsteps of his two older brothers: Eli, who attends the U.S. Naval Academy, and Owen, who is at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Watson has long aspired to attend a military academy, a goal he attributes to the strong sense of service instilled by his family.
“My brothers were big role models for me growing up, but I think we all really learned from my parents about the importance of serving others,” Watson said. “One of my grandfathers graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and the other was in the United States Air Force.”
Being accepted into West Point is no small feat, requiring a strong GPA, high ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and significant academic and extracurricular involvement. Watson has demonstrated exceptional dedication to meet these rigorous standards. With an ACT score above 30 and a perfect GPA, he has excelled both in the classroom and in his community.
Watson served as an Eagle Scout, earning the OA Triple Crown from Scouting’s Honor Society. He also competes in cross country, plays baseball, and serves in various leadership roles, including student council and FBLA. Additionally, he has participated in EcoCar competitions and the Literary Rally.
Watson’s father, Kevin Watson, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievements and his commitment to this goal over the years.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what he has accomplished, his plans for the future, or the person he has become,” Kevin Watson said. “And I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the teachers, coaches, Scout Masters and the kids he has surrounded himself with. They all have had a tremendously positive and powerful impact on him.”
Over the summer, Watson had the opportunity to spend a week at West Point, immersing himself in the life of a cadet. During the visit, potential attendees experienced a mock day at the academy, where they were introduced to various drills and aspects of daily military life. Each student was issued a uniform to wear throughout the week, living as if they were already part of the academy. Watson’s days were filled with physical training and exploring different academic majors he might pursue.
“I really enjoyed the people I met there. They are what really made the experience so memorable,” Watson said. “I met people from all over the United States, all here to experience the same thing as me.”
The Lincoln Parish Community has worked hard to support Watson through his journey to attending a military institute. Choudrant High School Principal, Christopher Jones, acknowledged Watson’s success of being conditionally accepted into the academy and described his academic involvement over the years.
“We are all very proud of Wade,” Jones said. “Getting accepted into a military academy is an honor and it has been a collective effort from Wade, his parents, the teachers and coaches at Choudrant High School and the opportunities created by the Lincoln Parish School Board.”
Next on Watson’s agenda is completing the final requirements for full acceptance into West Point. He still needs to finish his application, secure a nomination from a congressman, and complete several other steps before the end of the school year. Watson is determined to attend West Point or another military academy after his graduation in May 2025 and will continue working toward this goal throughout his senior year.
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