Serena High student selected for West Point

Thanepohn has been focused on his goal all throughout high school

Trevor Thanepohn (center) poses for a photo with his parents Julie and Chad at Serena High School. Thanepohn was selected to be admitted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Serena High School senior Trevor Thanepohn has known since he was in eighth grade he wanted to go to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

His guidance counselor Jennifer Hoppis said it’s unusual for a freshman entering high school to know exactly what they want, but Thanepohn was a standout student from the get go.

“He told me from the get go he wanted to get into West Point, and it takes a certain type of serious student to get in, and I could see he was ready for it, so I said, ‘Let’s go, let’s do this,’ " Hoppis said.

Thanepohn’s focus was rewarded this fall when he was accepted to join the selective academy.

Typically, an endorsement from a U.S. representative or senator is necessary, but Thanepohn joined the National Guard and received an endorsement through his recruiter. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted to West Point and less than 1,000 students are admitted nationwide.

Thanepohn credited an open house at Northern Illinois University where they explained the process of how to join the military as one of his inspirations.

“I noticed the general respect for West Point graduates,” Thanepohn said of what caught his attention in junior high school. “The officers are respected and it’s a prestigious academy. Since the beginning of the country, generals and presidents have graduated from there.”

Thanepohn will graduate from Serena High School in May and head to West Point in the summer.

Thanepohn is in the law enforcement program at Indian Valley Vocational Center and worked at Francesca’s Pizza in Sheridan. His sister Kaitlyn also is in the military.

“It’s always been so impressive to me,” said Trevor’s father, Chad. “He’s been so focused every day on getting in. He’s always been fascinated by the military.”

Thanepohn said it will be up to the Army to decide his role, but he said he’s interested in aviation and the flying Apaches.

“That’s always looked awesome to me,” he said.