Alexa Gillon ’24 has received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. The news was announced by Lt. Col. Greg Gebhardt, Office of Admissions for the Academy, during the Upper School Honors Convocation on Thursday, May 23.

Earning an appointment to the nation’s service academies requires a lengthy and competitive process. Gillon shared that she started her journey in February of her junior year, when she filled out a preliminary application to determine whether she was eligible for admission. As a result of that step, she was admitted to the Summer Leaders Experience, a week-long immersion into the academic, military and social life of a West Point cadet. 

Led by cadets who were determined to test attendees’ commitment, the week began with a fitness assessment that Gillon did not initially pass, giving her an understanding of just how grueling an appointment to West Point would be. But by week’s end, she noted, she was sold on the many fascinating areas of study her time at the academy would provide — and was more determined than ever to meet all of the other challenges head-on. 

“I got some of the most interesting workshops you can get at this summer program and ended up with Arabic, Environmental Engineering, Cyber Security and Leadership & Ethics. The rest of the week went so smoothly and so well that I let go of all of the shortcomings of the beginning,” she said. “I love a challenge, and West Point’s Summer Leaders Experience challenged me. … I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to prove to myself that I could make it, which was ultimately my motivation to keep going with the application.” 

Eligible candidates applying to West Point must satisfy multiple rigorous requirements, including a fitness test and medical assessment, teacher recommendations in multiple subject areas and a thorough essay-based application. They must also secure the nomination of one of their congressional representatives.

“The nomination process is quite complicated,” Gillon explained. “[Members of Congress ] have written applications, and then, if you pass through their preliminary screening, you go for an interview with the board they put together. Then, after these interviews, the board you interviewed with will pick up to 10 nominees, which they will rank from best to worst. Each member of Congress can sponsor only up to five cadets from all four years at West Point at a time. So, once they rank their choices, they send that list over to West Point, who then knows who is eligible to be admitted to their school, and they must take into consideration how many cadets a representative or a senator has at West Point already. Without a nomination, a candidate will not be admitted. However, a nomination does not guarantee an acceptance into West Point.” 

Gillon noted with pride that all three of her representatives — Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd — nominated her for appointment.

Her success in this endeavor likely comes as no surprise to her teachers and peers at Ravenscroft. In her time in the Upper School, Gillon was an honor-roll student and a member of the Cum Laude Society. In addition to serving in student government all four years, she lettered in softball for six seasons and was a member of the Wind Ensemble, earning the Senior Band Award for her significant contribution to Ravenscroft through music.

Her college counselor, Sean Kennedy, noted in his letter of recommendation that she also demonstrated a commitment to service through her work as a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Wake Forest. 

“In nearly every arena, Alexa’s kind, focused drive, skill and fearlessness have helped her accomplish an array of things that few of her peers have,” he wrote. “Nearly everywhere she goes, she leads by a combination of word, deed and talent.”

Following a few weeks of rest and travel, Gillon reports on July 1 for six weeks of Cadet Basic Training — “affectionately known as BEAST,” she noted — before her academic work begins. Asked what she’s most looking forward to in her first year at West Point, she responded, “I’m really excited for my required boxing class!”

Congratulations, Alexa, and best of luck to you as you take on this new challenge!