Earlier this month, St. Aloysius High School senior Katie Martin received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The appointment comes as the third in the last two years for seniors from St. Aloysius. Last year, Luke Eckstein and Bash Brown received appointments, and they both now attend the academy, located in West Point, N.Y.

“I was very honored to receive this appointment,” said Martin, the daughter of Karen and Andy Martin. “It’s an excellent school, and it’s very challenging.”

West Point was founded by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, with roots tracing back to 1801. There are approximately 4,000 cadets who attend the school, and the admittance rate is about 9 percent. Of the 4,000 cadets, 17 percent are female.

“It’s different I suppose if you’re a female going into the military rather than a male, but you still need the same characteristics, regardless,” she said. “I think it would be challenging no matter what. It’s a great accomplishment regardless.”

Martin has spent most of her life in Vicksburg, and she has attended St. Aloysius since seventh grade. She said she feels her education has prepared her for whatever is next.

Throughout her high school years, Martin has been involved in several extra curricular activities, including swim, golf, quiz bowl, open forum, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society and 456 Siege Robotics. She is a member of Church of the Holy Trinity.

She was nominated for the appointment by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson.

In addition to West Point, Martin has been accepted to the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University and Purdue University, her father’s alma mater. She is waiting to hear back from the University of Illinois, Stanford University and Princeton University.

“If I decide that I want to go into the military, that’s the best option to become an officer,” Martin said of West Point. “It’s got the leadership aspect, it’s got the education aspect and it’s got the military training aspect. It’s great for becoming an officer.”

Martin said she plans to become an engineer, probably focusing in chemical or mechanical. Her father is a research engineer at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.

“I like math and science, and as a result, engineering makes sense,” she said. “I’ve been in engineering activities like robotics, and I liked that a lot. It pays well too, which is an added benefit.”

St. Aloysius Principal Dr. Buddy Strickland said Martin is one of the most focused and committed individuals he’s ever been around.

“When I think of West Point, I think: duty, honor, country,” he said. “When you think of Katie, she has that kind of temperament. Whatever she does, she’s going to do well.”

Strickland said when Sen. Wicker’s office called to inform him of the appointment, they made note that this appointment came earlier than most.

“Wherever she goes to school, she’s going to be a decided success,” he said. “We’re proud at St. Aloysius to claim her as one of our own.”

The senator’s office went on to speak highly of Martin and her credentials, and Strickland added all of the compliments were well-deserved.

Sen. Wicker’s office also made note of the number of appointments coming from St. Aloysius.

“This is three in two years,” Strickland said. “We’ve had five in the last 10 years. It’s a testament to what happens here, because a school with numbers this small has this degree of young people who are not only recommended but have received the appointment.”