Brother Rice Student Accepted To West Point Military Academy

CHICAGO — Alex MacFarlane, a senior at Brother Rice High School in Chicago and Oak Lawn resident, will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point after he recently received his acceptance letter to the prestigious school. West Point has a 10 percent acceptance rate, according to a news release from Brother Rice.

MacFarlane has maintained a 4.0 grade point average while at Brother Rice, is taking several advanced placement courses and has earned All-Catholic League Scholar-Athlete accolades as a member of the Crusaders' cross country and track and field teams. He's also involved as a captain for his school's scholastic bowl team, works as a caddy at the Beverly Country Club and volunteers in his free time.

He made the choice to apply to the academy after visiting there this past winter. He said he witnessed the “wildly competent and utterly selfless” U.S. Corps of Cadets, faculty and staff.

MacFarlane credits his time at Brother Rice, from where he will graduate this year, for putting him in position to receive the West Point acceptance.

“There were loads of forms, essays, letters of recommendation, interviews, and tests to be completed,” he said. “I simply could not have completed the application, let alone get into West Point, without the support of Brother Rice teachers and fellow students. Over several months, I received help and encouragement from countless people, especially Mrs. Rundh, Mr. Creed, Coach Gleeson, Ms. Jantz, Ms. Donnelly, Mr. Dolan, Mr. Swynenburg, and Brother Hayes.

Looking around in class day after day and seeing the example put forth by my classmates, I felt motivated to get through whatever needed to be done. There's a resounding culture of determination held by both students and staff at Brother Rice, which couldn't be more inspiring during a long, detailed application process.”