Addison Trail senior accepted into United States Military Academy

Addison Trail senior Ekaterin Gjonaj has been accepted into the United States Military Academy (West Point) in West Point, NY.

Gjonaj said she has always looked up to her parent’s military morals and ethical way of life. As graduated officers in the Albanian Military Academy in Europe, Gjonaj’s parents (as well as her grandfather) raised her with a military mentality.

“My family has ingrained the military ethics and morals in me since I was a child,” Gjonaj said. “In fact, I will be a third-generation officer.”

Gjonaj said attending West Point has been a goal of hers since her freshman year, after she went to the National Youth Leadership Forum National Security in Washington, D.C.

“I immediately became intrigued with West Point after my trip to D.C.,” Gjonaj said. “However, my decision was solidified after visiting the school with my family.”

West Point provides a four-year education, which focuses on the leader development of cadets in the academic, military and physical domains, all underwritten by adherence to a code of honor.

“Only 8 percent of those who apply get into the school,” Gjonaj said. “It’s a lengthy process, which I started my junior year of high school.”

Some of the components to the application include receiving a passing grade on the military fitness and medical exams, having a competitive GPA and getting a congressional nomination from your congressperson or state senators. Students also are required to play a sport during the school year and go through military training in the summer. All cadets graduate as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, with a mandatory five years of service after graduation.

“I received a nomination from Sen. Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth,” Gjonaj said. “I am truly blessed for their confidence in me.”

While at West Point, Gjonaj plans to major in international relations or law.

“I’m extremely proud of the education I received at Addison Trail,” Gjonaj said. “As vice president of the Debate Team and a member of Model UN and Youth and Government, I’ve had experiences that have helped me understand these fields are right for me.”

Gjonaj said she enjoys working toward a goal with others of diverse backgrounds, as well as defending her position on many issues.

“I am really excited to meet my fellow cadets and to push myself more than I could have ever imagined,” she said.