Following a family tradition: WHS 2019 graduate heads to West Point

WORLAND - With military service in his blood, a Worland High School 2019 graduate is following the family tradition and headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point next month.

During the Worland High School Class of 2019 Awards Night May 14, Andy Deniz officially received his certificate of appointment to West Point Military Academy from Lt. Col. Mark Johnson, becoming just the second WHS graduate to be appointed to West Point.

Deniz said joining the military is in his blood. "My family has served. We have every branch of service covered. It's a family tradition to serve and I just want to carry it on," he said.

He added that seeking appointment to a military academy provided an opportunity to obtain a bachelor's degree. "And it gives me an opportunity to lead soldiers. That's something I've always wanted to do," he said. Cadets graduate with the rank of second lieutenant.

Despite the family's military history, Deniz said he has always wanted to serve, talking to a recruiter for the first time when he was 12 and in the sixth grade. He was told he was too young but to keep his goals high and keep working hard.

He knew he had to be involved in the community and in high school to be selected to the academy.

"All the candidates are super qualified so you just want to try and make yourself stand out a little more," he said.

During his four years at Worland High School Deniz has competed in football, basketball, track, indoor track and soccer. He has also been active in W-Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, band and jazz band. He graduated Sunday with a 4.0 grade point average.

NOMINATION

After applying to West Point, Deniz was nominated to the academy by both Wyoming senators, Sen. Mike Enzi and Sen. John Barrasso. He also applied and was nominated by Barrasso for the U.S. Naval Academy and by Enzi to West Point, Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy.

He said he did apply to all three as a fall back plan but "West Point, I just felt in my gut that's what was right for me."

Information on the West Point website states, "The United States Military Academy, founded on March 16, 1802, is a college that educates, trains and inspires the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of duty, honor, country. Each graduate has the essential attributes for professional growth throughout a career as a U.S. Army officer."

Cadets are at the academy for four year,s serve at least five years of active duty and three years in a reserve component. According to the West Point website, "The active duty obligation is the nation's return on a West Point graduate's fully funded, four-year college education that is valued in excess of $225,000."

Deniz was notified of his selection while on the Washington, D.C. trip with the AP History students in April. His mother called after the letter arrived in the mail, he said.

Deniz said his parents, Alfonzo and Teresa, are proud and excited for his opportunity but, he noted, his mother is also a bit sad as West Point is 50 miles north of New York City, just over 2,000 miles from Worland. As a first-year cadet, Deniz said he likely will get just two to three opportunities to come home.

When contacted last week about Deniz's appointment, Sen. Enzi said, "I am proud and excited for Andy Deniz on his selection to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He demonstrated his patriotism and willingness to serve our country when he applied, and his academic success and leadership ability will serve him well in his future. I hope this will be a wonderful experience for him and I wish him the very best."

"Nominating some of Wyoming's best and brightest students to our nation's military academies is one of the greatest privileges I have as a U.S. senator. Worland's Andy Deniz is an exceptional student leader. It was clear early on in the nomination process that Andy is exactly the type of well-rounded and accomplished applicant our service academies are looking for. I have no doubt that Andy will represent Wyoming well at the United State Military Academy at West Point," Barrasso said.  

HEADING TO WEST POINT

With the selection made and receiving his certificate, Deniz is getting ready to head to West Point, leaving Worland on June 25. He said he will stay with the Kenny McDonald and his family before the initial reception on July 1. McDonald is Worland's only other West Point appointee.

Each West Point cadet graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree and the Academy offers 42 majors. Deniz is considering a degree in civil engineering, which he said would be used for construction and development projects in underdeveloped countries.

Deniz said the choice of engineering is again a family tradition but added he enjoys science and math.

As a West Point cadet, while the education is fully funded, the academy does require a down payment for materials for the freshman year, including school and military equipment.

FUNDRAISERS

Cost is $2,000 and Deniz and his family have three fundraisers planned. The first was May 22 at Sally's Classic Pizza. A car wash is scheduled for June 8 at Prescribed Firearms parking lot at 10th and Big Horn. On June 21, there will be an enchilada dinner at Deniz's home church, Grace Chapel Community Church.

As he gets ready to go Deniz said, "I'm super, super nervous, and pretty much have mixed emotions across the board. I'm excited but sad to say goodbye. It's bittersweet really."

He said he has been talking to Kenny McDonald about what to expect and said his first year, "I basically have no rights, you're at the bottom of the pack."

Deniz added that the biggest thing he is nervous about is cadet basic training. He has been provided a workout regiment to follow including running, pushups and pullups.

According to the website, cadet basic training is a six-week program that helps cadets make a "rapid transition to military life. You are physically challenged with daily physical fitness training that helps prepare you for long foot marches, mountaineering, rifle marksmanship and tactical maneuvers."

One thing he is not nervous about is meeting new people. "I'm pretty good at meeting new people. I'm excited to build new relationships."

Deniz is planning to make the Army his career. "I think it would be great to carry on. And if I'm in there for 10 years anyway I might as well just continue."