SIDNEY — Lehman Catholic High School senior Tyler Lachey met with U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan on Friday, Jan. 26, in honor of Lachey’s acceptance into The United States Military Academy at West Point.
Lachey, son of Joe and Shannon Lachey, of Sidney, said he’s had an interest in the military for as long as he can remember.
“I’ve always looked up to soldiers and people in the military and always wanted to be in the military when I grew up,” he said.
The U.S. Military Academy, located in West Point, New York, is a four-year school focused on military and physical excellence. Students at West Point are educated to become leaders of character and are given the skills and knowledge necessary for them to succeed in their personal and professional lives, while also being prepared for service within the U.S. Army.
According to The Princeton Review, the acceptance rate to West Point is less than 10 percent. Nearly 15,000 applications are submitted each year, with only 1,100 accepted.
Acceptance is based on academics and overall character, as well as how highly each candidate exhibits leadership and physical fitness. Candidates must also be nominated by a member of the U.S. Congress or Senate.
Lachey, having served as student council president, golf club captain, and member of the stock club at Lehman, was nominated by Jordan’s office in October. He received his acceptance to the academy just two weeks ago.
Lachey had also been nominated for and accepted to the United States Naval Academy. It was then up to him to choose which he preferred to attend.
“I’ve always been more interested in the Army than the Navy, so that’s what helped me choose West Point,” Lachey said.
The meeting with Congressman Jordan, R-Urbana, 4th District, took place at Area Energy and Electric, Inc., in Sidney, of which Joe Lachey, Tyler’s father, is vice-president.
Jordan congratulated Lachey and sat down with him briefly to discuss his accomplishment and his future at West Point.
“I’m excited for you,” Jordan said. “I know you’ve been wanting this. I don’t think, in 10 years, we’ve ever had someone as determined and focused as early as you were.”
Lachey shared that he intends to focus his studies on engineering, with his interest currently leaning toward electrical engineering. He is set to begin basic training on July 2, which will last six weeks. Classes will begin in August.
After graduation from West Point, Lachey will be commissioned as a second lieutenant and will serve for five years on active duty.
“God bless you, brother,” Jordan said at the end of their meeting. “We need good people like you to do this important job.”
