Which One: West Point Or U.S. Naval Academy?
Drew Weninger, 17, a senior at Kenston High School, has to choose where to attend college by April 15. He was accepted into both the U.S Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Decisions, decisions.
Drew Weninger, 17, a senior at Kenston High School, has to choose where to attend college by April 15. He was accepted into both the U.S Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy.
“I haven’t decided yet, but the Naval Academy offers more hands-on technical training and the opportunity to become a jet pilot,” the Auburn teen said.
Although the Maryland-based Naval Academy has a milder climate than West Point on the Hudson Bay, Drew said that isn’t factoring into his decision.
The Chagrin Valley Conference All-Conference football player hopes to make the team at the academy he attends.
If not, he may try out for rugby, a sport he is learning.
Weninger was Kenston’s first football player to have been voted to both the offense and defense teams in the CVC. He played both wide receiver and cornerback positions and was team captain.
He is also at the head of his class with a 4.44 grade point average.
To prepare himself physically, he is lifting weights and working on his long-distance running, along with playing lacrosse.
When asked to name his easiest subject, he answered math, without hesitation.
“I’m taking calculus now and it’s pretty easy,” he said. “Economics is the toughest. I’m good in history and in math, but economics involves connected ideas and is harder.”
West Point was actually the first college Drew visited on his search last summer with his father.
“We were on our way to Cornell University, when he asked if we could swing by West Point,” Ernst Weninger said. “We spent the day and upon leaving, he surprised me by saying that was his choice.”
Drew said he liked the atmosphere.
“It was busy, not relaxed,” he said. “It was incredible. I was with a cadet all day and we just kept sprinting to get to every class.”
His father said Drew liked the discipline.
“He’s built for this,” Ernst said. “From what I’ve heard, the academy will break him down then build him up. It’s not a great place to be at, but it’s a great place to be from. It builds mental toughness.”
Drew had a taste of both academies last summer as he attended a week-long camp at both.
If he had not been accepted to either, what direction would he have taken?
“My interest is in engineering,” he said. “I would have looked for a school with an ROTC program.”
Noting that Drew’s college will be paid for by the U.S. government, his father is relieved. He said tuition to an Ivy League school can cost $60,000 per year.
When asked if he was concerned about the mandatory five-year stint in the U.S. armed forces after graduating, Drew’s father said he was not.
“I served as a medic in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War,” he said. “Almost everybody had to serve and I was never in harm’s way. I don’t have qualms about it, and, times are different now. I do remember that I was very young and grew up fast as a result of my experience.”
Drew was nominated for West Point by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and for the Naval Academy appointment by Congressman David Joyce.
He also underwent a rigorous interview and screening process by both organizations.
What is he not looking forward to?
“I’m eager to get there, get through the first week and get settled into a routine,” Drew said, adding, however, he is concerned about the rule that freshmen cannot leave the campus.
“I have a girlfriend, also a Kenston senior,” he said. “It will be hard to not leave the campus, but she’s headed to either (The) Ohio State University or Ohio University to pursue a nursing degree. We’ll both be busy.”
But, first he has to make his decision between the two prestigious schools. Then he has to finish his schoolwork at Kenston and graduate.
He hopes to celebrate his high school graduation with a family trip to the North Carolina coast before he reports to the academy of his choice at the end of June.
What advice does Drew have for younger aspiring students?
“Work hard your first two years of high school,” he said. “It’s harder to make up for it in your last two years. Get involved in school organizations early, as well, if you want to demonstrate leadership skills. It becomes important later for college acceptance.”
