Press Releases

CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ANNOUNCES EIGHT NEW APPOINTMENTS TO UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMIES

• Mr. Jay Adams turned down a 4-year scholarship to Georgia Tech in order to pursue his dream of attending West Point.  He told Congressman Pittenger that “I want to be a part of something larger than just myself, and serving my country will allow me to do this.”  Mr. Adams is the son of Victor and Mary Jo Adams and lives in south Charlotte.
• Mr. Jacob Atkinson, a senior at Cuthbertson High School, received an appointment to West Point.  He told Congressman Pittenger that “I feel it is my duty to use what has been freely given to me to help and serve others, in the United States and throughout the world.”  Mr. Atkinson is the son of James and Denise Atkinson and lives in Waxhaw.
• Ms. Cara Edwards, a senior at Marvin Ridge High School, received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.  When her brother commented that serving in the Navy could get her killed, she replied, “I would rather die serving my country than in a meaningless car accident.”  Ms. Edwards is the daughter of Anita Edwards and lives in Waxhaw.
• Mr. Kyle Fuller, a senior at Davidson Day School, will play golf for the United States Air Force Academy.  His four career goals are to learn, lead, serve, and help others, and he believes the Air Force will help him turn those goals into “something much greater.”  Mr. Fuller is the son of Micah and Sandra Fuller and lives in Huntersville.
• Mr. Steven Fusco, a senior at Cuthbertson High School, received an appointment to West Point.  He told Congressman Pittenger that “I am not like many of my peers who look to cruise through their four years of college while partying and living the ‘college life.’  Rather, I am looking to be put to the test both physically and mentally to prepare for what the real world has in store for me.”  Mr. Fusco is the son of Daniel and Karen Fusco and lives in Waxhaw.
• Mr. Cameron Giles, a senior at Pine Lake Preparatory, decided he wanted to attend West Point while watching a documentary on the Battle of Normandy in the third grade.  “I admired (the officers) ability to keep calm under pressure and their problem solving abilities when things did not go according to plan.”  Mr. Giles is the son of Jon and Julie Giles and lives in Cornelius.
• Mr. John McGinnis, a senior at Charlotte Latin and an Eagle Scout, received an appointment to West Point.  He told Congressman Pittenger that “an officer in the U.S. Armed Forces has the opportunity to wake up knowing that what he does affects not only his country but even the world around him.  I dream of the day when I can wake up and live that kind of purpose every day.”  Mr. McGinnis is the son of Lamar and Roline McGinnis and lives in south Charlotte.
• Mr. Matthew Sanford, a senior at South Iredell High School, will follow his father into military service by attending West Point.  An avid student of history, Mr. Sanford has studied Academy graduates who had a significant impact not only on the military, but on American domestic, foreign, economic, and social policy.  “By attending and graduating from a Service Academy, I know I will be well-prepared not only as an officer in the U.S. Armed Forces, but also as an American citizen.”  Mr. Sanford is the son of Air Force Major Paul and Carole Ann Sanford and lives in Mooresville.