Writer / Cathy Wendorff
Three of Center Grove’s finest young men, Ryan Alt, Brett Boswell and Marco Copat made it their mission to become student leaders, athletes and scholars, all in the hopes of becoming West Point Cadets. As friends, competitors and teammates, they have remained ultra-focused, dedicated and persistent throughout high school in preparation for the extensive year-long application process. While taking rigorous AP course loads, completing community service and becoming leaders in student government and clubs, this dynamic trio has developed into men of integrity, worthy of Senatorial and Congressional nominations.
Brett Boswell knew he wanted to be the first in his family to be in the military, but he also wanted an education. As he studied his options, Brett was impressed by the rigor of the academy and the camaraderie at West Point, which he decided was a challenge he wanted to tackle.
“I’m very thankful for my parents, they’ve been great support along the journey,” Boswell says.
He envisions becoming an Infantry Officer and leading troops on the ground. Boswell has accomplished a goal that has not been achieved by another CGHS student, and less than 1 percent of applicants have done, he was accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“All my life in football and in everything, I’ve always been the smallest person. I have to be the one to work the hardest to accomplish what I want,” Boswell says.
Marco Copat grew up thinking he wanted to go to Rose-Hulman to be an engineer like his father, but a side bet with his buddy Ryan changed those plans his sophomore year. Initially it was Copat’s competitive nature that made him want to prove to Ryan that he could get in, however he grew more serious as he learned more about West Point.
“They really develop leaders of character, and I want more than an education, Copat says. “I want to be a better person, and I know that’s where I can develop myself and eventually go into the Army.”
Marco has competed in a variety of sports like, power-lifting, cycling, and pole vaulting for three years. He is the Vice-President of Business Professionals of America and a member of the political club, KOPPI.
“My Mom served for about 10 years, so she’s familiar with the Army,” Copat adds.
Upon receiving news of his acceptance into the U.S. Army Academy, Marco Copat has committed to West Point and plans to major in electrical engineering and physics, along with competing in cycling.
“I intend to serve my initial eight-year contract as active duty infantry and sometime during that period attend Ranger School and become an Army Ranger,” Copat says.
Ryan Alt has always wanted to be in the military like so many generations in his family, who served in many different branches, that can be traced back to the Revolutionary War.
Alt played four years of football and is the Senior Class President and the Secretary of the National Honor Society.
Inspired by his grandfathers, one a Naval Officer in WWII and the other served in Korea as an engineer, Alt knew when listening to their stories that he wanted to carry on the tradition of serving. He is grateful to be strongly supported.
“There are so many people that help you on this journey, it’s unbelievable,” Alt says.
With aspirations from jumping out of airplanes as a Paratrooper to becoming an Army General, Alt is still waiting to see if his dream to become a West Point Cadet will come true. In the meantime, he currently has a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship to attend Indiana University. Alt will most likely major in history with an emphasis on military history.
In a few months these Center Grove Trojans hope to march as courageous Black Knights Cadets, thanks to hard work that has clearly paid off.
