It’s in his blood.
Tory Petersen’s family has a long history of military service.
So, when Petersen set his sights on a career as an army officer when he was in just the sixth grade, his family wasn’t surprised.
Recently, six years of hard work paid off for the SHHS senior, with his acceptance to the West Point Military Academy.
“I saw the movie ‘Gettysburg’ when I was in the sixth grade,” Petersen said. “West Point came up a lot in that movie and I knew then I wanted to go there.”
Tory, 18, is the son of Todd and Michelle Petersen of 26600 Fern Ridge.
“I used my time in junior high as a stepping stone to high school,” Petersen said.
Acceptance to the prestigious military academy is difficult, Petersen admitted. Some 40-60,000 students make initial applications and those are narrowed to about 5,000 from which the final 1,200 are selected.
“I think some of my friends had more fun in high school than I did simply because I was focused on my goal,” Petersen said. “I already know what I want to do. It was more like a business for me.”
Admittance to West Point is based on a “whole person” application. Grades are important but applicants are also expected to be strong leaders in and out of school, athletic, etc.
“They accept graduates whom they believe have the best overall chances of become leaders,” Petersen said.
Petersen was notified of his acceptance in January.
In a letter from William J. Lennox, Jr., Lieutenant General, U.S. Army, it was noted: “West Point exists to provide leaders of character for our Army who are inspired to careers as commissioned officer and to a lifetime of service to the nation. Because West Point offers education and training at public expense, West Pointers, both as cadets and officers, are obligated to give in return the best of themselves and to serve on active duty as Army officers for at least five years after graduation.”
Petersen said his parents are enthusiastic about his access to an education valued are more than $300,000.
Petersen was nominated by Congressman Peter DeFazio.
“I sent Congressman DeFazio a letter, he sent back a packet of information I needed to fill out and I had to write several essays,” Petersen said. “Then, I was interviewed by his committee.”
A Civil War buff, Petersen said he plans to major in computer science and his goal is to become an Army Ranger.
“I chose Rangers as my goal because they are the best the Army has to offer,” Petersen said.
Petersen will graduate in June with a 3.90 GPA.
He has been active as Key Club president, played football for three years, is a pole vaulter in track and was fifth at the district wrestling tournament at 160 pounds.
Petersen has a first degree black belt in Taekwondo, attend the Boy Scout Army Ranger Camp, is on the high school site council and is a member of the student ministry team at the Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lebanon.
His hobbies include paint balling, computers and Alpine skiing.
Petersen has been active in Key Club, is an acolyte at his church and helps with grounds keeping and running the sound board, Community Concert Association, Boys State, and has received the Business Law award.
In addition to a grueling class and discipline load, cadets are required to spend two hours each day in an athletic activity. Petersen plans to improve his Alpine skiing skills and to take up fencing.
How does Petersen view the possibility of war in Iraq?
“I support our president,” he said without hesitation.
Petersen will start his military education with boot camp on June 29.
Petersen joins other SHHS graduates including Jerry Farnsworth who has made a career of the military after his West Point graduation. Carissa Niemi, Class of 1996, is an Air Force Academy graduate and pilot. Chris Slauson, Class of 2000, is currently a junior at the Air Force Academy.