Two HHS students earn academy appointments

By Jon Echternacht

The class of 1999 at Hudson High School will be well-represented at the nation's military academies. Seniors Chris Kary and Tony Blodgett have been accepted to continue their education, courtesy of the United States.

Kary got word last week he had been accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. In February, Blodgett received formal acceptance to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Both Hudson students received appointments from 3rd District Congressman Ron Kind.

Blodgett knows the exact time he decided to pursue an appointment to the Army. "It was during the third quarter of my sophomore year in Chemistry II class," he said. "I considered West Point because it is the best."

Kary got started a little later on his quest and thus was accepted later. "I heard you had a better chance of getting an appointment if you applied to more than one academy. I applied to both Air Force and Navy," he said.

Kary was influenced toward the Naval Academy because his father served 20 years in the Navy and retired as a commander. "I visited the Air Force Academy in March and had a chance to talk with some of the cadets," he said. "I was hoping for an appointment to Navy before, but after visiting Air Force I like them both equally as well," Kary noted.

It was Army all the way for Blodgett. "I've been interested in going to West Point since I was very young," he said. The only military background in his family belongs to his grandfather, who served in the Marines during the Korean War.

Both candidates know it won't be a cake walk their first year in college. In fact, their normal summer vacation will be cut short. Blodgett is off to Cadet Basic Training at West Point June 28, and Kary travels to Colorado Springs for his preliminary training July 1.

To prepare for the upcoming rigors, both lads have been working out to maintain physical strength. "I have been working out seven days a week, working on the weights," said Blodgett. Kary said he was also on a regular workout schedule.

As far as the mental toughness necessary to complete the program, both figure they can make it if other people have.

Blodgett said he sees military service as an obligation he should do. "If I didn't do this, I would be doing ROTC," he said. "I turned down an ROTC scholarship to another school." He said his plans are to major in political science at West Point.

Kary plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. "If I didn't go into an academy, my plans were to major in electrical engineering. I have been accepted to Purdue," he said.

Acceptance to a military academy may be the best college scholarship in the land since everything is paid for. "But you earn it," said Blodgett. "The classes are small, 12 to 16 students," he said.

Kary added, "It is more of a one-on-one situation with the teacher."

"You miss the normal college experience," said Blodgett. "College is usually the gap between childhood and the adult world. At West Point you get into the adult world real soon."

"You are trained to become an officer," said Kary. "Making the decision to go to the academy is the starting point for a pattern to be a success for the rest of your life and to make achievements."

Blodgett is valedictorian of the class of 1999 and senior class president. Kary is in the upper 20 percent of the class and is vice president. Both students play in the HHS jazz band and were on the football team. Blodgett also participated in cross country, wrestling and golf. Kary lettered in swimming.

The appointment of Blodgett and Kary marks the second time two HHS students have been accepted to military academies from the same class. The class of 1997 produced Matt Lee, who went to Army, and Keegan McConaughey, who accepted an appointment to Air Force.

Each year members of Congress nominate outstanding individuals for acceptance into the Naval, Air Force, Merchant Marine Academies and the Military Academy at West Point. The nominations are forwarded to the institutions, and each chooses at least one individual from every congressional district for admission.