WILLIAMSTOWN - Williamstown High School senior Colton Kiselica found out Friday he has been accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
The news was delivered by U.S. Rep. David McKinley, who had recommended Kiselica to West Point and other military academies.
"Somehow the wires got crossed and the admission announcement was sent to my office instead of to his parents," McKinley said Friday. "I decided I wanted to present it in person. You don't often get an opportunity to do something like this, and when you do, you take advantage of it."
Article Photos
U.S. Rep. David McKinley, left, congratulates Williamstown High School senior Colton Kiselica, center, and his mother and father, Kelli and Gregory Kiselica, after announcing that Colton Kiselica had been accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. (Photo by Michael Erb)
Kiselica said it was a surprise to find out he'd been accepted to West Point.
"It was a big honor to have Congressman McKinley come here and present this to me personally," Kiselica said. "To be accepted to West Point is a tremendous honor."
McKinley said thousands of applicants to West Point are considered each year, and only a handful are accepted.
"It is an incredible competition," McKinley said. "Colton is such a nice young man. He is a leader. He is already displaying those leadership skills and they will build on them at West Point."
Kiselica, ranked fourth in his graduating class at WHS, said he plans to major in political science.
"I'd love to be involved in government at the national level, specifically defense at the national level," he said.
WHS Assistant Principal Randy Edge said Kiselica has been an ideal student.
"Colton is a great kid, well-rounded academically and participates in a variety of activities," he said. "The best thing about Colton is he is just a great person."
Edge said it was an honor not only for Kiselica but also for the school to have a student admitted to West Point.
"I think this speaks highly of the teachers and staff and curriculum in our school," Edge said.
Kiselica's parents, Gregory and Kelli Kiselica, were asked to come to the school Friday but not told why.
"We are so thrilled," Kelli Kiselica said. "It has truly been a community effort."
Kelli Kiselica said her son first expressed interest in the military academies when he was in kindergarten.
"There have been bumps along the way and times he has needed to refocus, but this has been something he has always wanted," she said.
Colton Kiselica said he was both excited and nervous to attend West Point.
"I just want to make sure that everyone who supported me here is not disappointed," he said. "I want to do my best there, and I think I will succeed."
