KAPAA — More than 13,000 high school students apply to attend West Point Military Academy in New York each year. Only a select few make the cut. Kapaa High School senior Shiloh Begley is one of them. “I’ve wanted to
KAPAA — More than 13,000 high school students apply to attend West Point Military Academy in New York each year.
Only a select few make the cut.
Kapaa High School senior Shiloh Begley is one of them.
“I’ve wanted to be a soldier leader since I was little,” said Begley. “When I was 4 years old I used to play soldier games all the time. And I loved watching movies about the war. ‘We were Soldiers’ with Mel Gibson is my favorite. Mel Gibson’s character was always calm and focused throughout the battle.”
Begley’s dream to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and serve in the Army marched forward when he was commissioned to report to the West Point military prep school after he graduates from high school this spring.
He will be one of 280 new students entering the prep school in July on a full-ride scholarship worth over $50,000 for the first year. Ninety-five percent of the prep school cadets move on to the full West Point Academy.
When the Kauai native heard about the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp four years ago, he figured the experience would fix his weaknesses, build his confidence and leadership skills and set him up for success.
“At first I had my doubts about Begley,” said his JROTC instructor Lt. Col. Robert Levoit. “But I’ve seen Shiloh come a long way. When I saw he had the potential to be a leader, I said I’d go to bat for him.”
Levoit, a field force volunteer for the department of admissions at West Point, is an advocate of a military education, having graduated from West Point himself 35 years ago. He was also a product of the JROTC program with a lieutenant colonel who also “motivated him to be a better citizen” — the motto of the high school program.
“The colonel and my sergeant have been like two crazy uncles to me,” said Begley. “If I ever had any problems they were always there for me. One night when we were on an adventure team retreat in Oahu and I was having girl problems, Sgt. Versammy counseled me for four hours. He was willing to listen and set me straight.”
Begley said JROTC was important for his coming of age. He recalled how Levoit was always pulling him aside during class, pointing out mistakes and faults when needed.
“It’s special when somebody cares about you enough to help you be successful,” said Begley.
The cadet loved the challenges and fun during the Friday JROTC activities, including flag football, soccer and kickball. His favorite challenge was participating in the repelling obstacles during adventure team competitions.
“The first time wasn’t the greatest,” remembered Begley about the 25-foot drop. “We had to tie our own rope seat harness and I wasn’t good at it, so it was a long, slow, painful drag to the bottom of the hill.”
Now, he will be the first in his family to go to college.
After Begley graduates from West Point, he’ll serve in the United States Army as a commissioned leader on the front lines in the infantry. His convictions and confidence are firmly grounded.
“I want to lead soldiers in the combat field,” Begley said. “My leadership and direction will get men out of sticky situations. Their lives won’t be jeopardized because of gambles I take.”
Begley believes he has come from a privileged existence and in exchange wants to serve his country.
“I was born into this bird’s nest of paradise, living in Kauai, now I want to take care of others,” he said.
• Lisa Ann Capozzi, a features and education reporter can be reached at lcapozzi@thegardenisland.com.
