Two Danbury Seniors Accepted Into West Point

DANBURY, CT — In what marks a historic moment for Danbury High School, two senior students accepted official appointments to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Joseph Waldron and Michael Halas were presented with appointments at the May 10 Board of Education meeting by Major Nancy Bates; surrounded by family, friends and community members.

“It is extremely unusual for any school in the nation to have two students appointed in the same year,” said Bates, who cited West Point’s eight percent acceptance rate. “To have two students from the same high school appointed is truly an evening of celebration. It is also a testament to the quality of the education and leadership that Danbury High School provides its students.”

Waldron is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the Danbury Baseball and Indoor Track teams. He spent the summer after his sophomore year at a ranger school in Pennsylvania and embarked on a month-long backpacking trip through Alaska with the National Outdoor Leadership School to prepare himself for West Point.

“Everything was in trying to prepare myself,” Waldron said.

Halas was noticed by a West Point recruiter at a baseball showcase in Trumbull. Both men had grandparents in the service, but said there was no family influence with regard to their military goals.

“I knew about West Point, and I was shocked that I was being recruited,” Halas said, a four-year DECA member and finalist. “It happened in two weeks. I had an opportunity to visit West Point and the presence it had was indescribable. I’m looking forward to the challenges that I’ll face – and meeting them.”

The cadets will receive a fully funded four-year-scholarship including uniforms, health coverage, monthly salary, tuition, development opportunities and room and board. Each cadet commits to five years’ service as a second lieutenant upon graduation followed by three years in the reserves.

“The diversity of the school and the real-world experience helped shape me,” Halas said. “DHS offers you responsibility. You control your own destiny.”

Image via the Danbury Public Schools