Photo By Staff Sgt. Edward Omelina | Hillsboro High School Senior and Oregon National Guard Pfc. Sydnie Rissel is preparing...... read more read more
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HILLSBORO, Oregon - Dedication, motivation, and a sense of direction can pave the way to success. Oregon Army National Guard Private First Class Sydnie Rissel has a goal that stretches beyond most high school seniors with a long history of producing U.S. Presidents and national leaders.
“I knew I wanted to go to college, I knew what I wanted to major in, I just didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing,” said Rissel.
After she graduates from school, she will sworn in as a cadet at West Point Military Academy, New York, on July 15, 2019. The Hillsboro High School senior is part of the Split train option and went to Basic as a junior and made the decistion to attend a service academy when she was a sophomore.
“There is no military tradition in my family, I just expressed an interest in joining. My grandmother took me to the closest Academy for a closer look,” she said.
Rissel said that after taking a trip with her grandmother to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she knew that attending a service school was something she wanted to do after high school.
“I wanted to do this, and I wanted this to be my lifestyle someday.”
With the assistance of Colleen Johnston, an English teacher at Hillsboro High School, Rissel was able to streamline the West Point Nomination process.
“What’s cool about Sydnie is that she realizes there is a future self out there and that future self is dependent on her being able to take on her current responsibilities. I think she has made her future self very proud,” said Johnson.
Between her Junior and Senior years of school, Rissel joined the Oregon Army National Guard, meeting all the enlistment criteria, then completed U.S. Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Rissell said that joining the National Guard while still in High School would help increase her chances of being selected for school at West Point, even though the training was challenging at times.
“We all came from different walks of life and sometimes it was difficult to get us all to work together, but when we did work together, we were really successful,” she said.
During Boot Camp, Rissel said that her greatest challenge was the demanding physical fitness testing. Prior to leaving for BCT she was doing about 15 push-ups a day, but by the end she was up to 50, preparing herself for the next step at West Point.
“I’m trying to find time to do school and work, but and also get time to work out. I want to keep up on the training that I learned in basic,” she said. “It’s a bit of a struggle but I want to keep in shape.”
Earning a nomination to West Point is not easy. According to West Point Academy career guide, the United States Military Academy at West Point is the oldest of the service academies. It was founded in 1802. Cadets can be nominated by individual members of congress, or by being nominated by a parent or step parent who is a career service member. Oregon U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer officially nominated Risse.
“I’m a little nervous about the academic portions. I’ve always excelled at academics, and I know I can do well,” said Rissel.
Rissel says she is planning on studying biology and is looking forward to competing for a spot in the medical field.
“I want to go to medical school. I’m going to try for it, but we’ll see,” she said.
According to the West Point Public Affairs Office, only 2% of each graduating class from West Point will be allowed to enter medical school upon graduation. Participants must be endorsed by the U.S. Military Service Academy Medical Program Advisory Committee and seek their own admission to a medical school.
Preparing to be a West Point Cadet her teachers, and recruiters have been advising and encouraging her throughout this 2-year process.
“Mrs. Johnston looked over so many of my essays and has done so many recommendations for me,” said Rissel. “my platoon sergeant at drill and my recruiters have been helping me this whole time.”
Rissel is dedicated to her goal and with the assistance from her teacher and fellow Guardsmen; she is preparing for the demands that await her at West Point.
“This is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I couldn’t think of anything better for me to start my career,” said Rissel.
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2019 15:13 |
| Story ID: | 315733 |
| Location: | HILLSBORO, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 238 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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