Name: Kyle Fredrickson

Age: 18

Grade: Senior

School: Hinsdale Central High School

Accomplishment: After receiving a letter of appointment from U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), Fredrickson has been accepted into West Point Military Academy starting in the fall. 

“My dad graduated there from the class of 1982,” said Frederickson. “Joining the military wasn’t something that I was always driven to do, but after visiting the campus, I thought that it would be a place where I could thrive.”

Key to Awesomeness: Although Fredrickson wasn’t considering entering the military throughout most of his high school career, he attended a weeklong summer camp at West Point last year and said that when he returned home he felt compelled to give back to the community.

“You live the same lifestyle as a student at West Point during that week and experience everything from the actual classes to physical training,” he said. “It was after that week that I began to realize that I’ve led a fairly privileged life in Clarendon Hills. I really want to use my time at West Point as an opportunity to give back.”

As a senior at Hinsdale Central, Fredrickson has been active in a number of areas. He has served as president of Habitat For Humanity and competed on the varsity swimming team, where he qualified for the state championship this past season.

“I’m definitely going to try out for the swimming team at West Point,” said Fredrickson. “If I don’t make it though, I’ll still swim at the club level. You’re required to participate in some kind of sport there.”

What’s Next: Fredrickson said that he is considering majoring in political science at West Point, and is also looking forward to taking a course in counter-terrorism.

All graduates of West Point must serve a minimum of five years in the military upon graduation. Fredrickson said he does not know now if he will pursue a lifelong career in the military after his mandatory service is over.