5 Saratoga grads headed to service academies
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Hunter Choy has dreamed of attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for almost as long as he can remember.
Soon he’ll be headed there as one of the prestigious school’s newest cadets along with fellow Saratoga Springs High School classmate Will Navin.
They’re among five Class of 2017 members headed to service academies, a rare feat for one high school, along with Greg Polmatier (U.S. Naval Academy), Matthew Chmiel (U.S. Air Force Academy) and Dane Feldhaus (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy).
“My desire to attend West Point stemmed first from an overwhelming call to duty,” Choy said. “My earliest memories were in the direct aftermath of 9/11, a time when our nation was full of patriotism and unity. Plus, my uncle Pete Strack spent a career enlisted in the army. My mother’s side has a long line of citizen-soldiers who answered the call of duty during times of crisis.
“As the son of an immigrant, I will be the first member of my father’s side to give back to my country through military service,” he said. “I also have the honor of becoming the first officer on both sides of my family tree.”
Choy said he first learned about West Point in second grade, when reading a book about General George Patton.
His mom, Cindy, said a trip to an army football game with Hunter’s uncles, Pete and Pat, sealed the deal.
“He’s been determined to go there ever since, for more than half his life,” she said. “Ten years is a very long time for anyone to have a goal.”
All five academy-bound seniors were recognized during the school’s annual Awards Program on Wednesday, when it was also announced that Caleb Cohen and Max Willner-Giwerc are this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
Last year, the five boys started a Military Opportunities Club in school to give each other support, guidance and camaraderie throughout the rigorous and stressful process of applying to service academies. Their hope is to see the club grow and to support, educate and encourage others considering military careers.
“They were very motivated in sports and academics throughout their high school careers,” said Lisa Conrad, club advisor. “They also supported each other in various activities.”
Navin is captain of the track and cross-country teams, treasurer of Best Buddies, a member of Educating Young Engineers, and is graduating in the top 5 percent of his class. At West Point, he plans to study international relations and possibly participate on the men’s track and field team.
Polmatier is captain of the varsity volleyball and lacrosse teams. He intends to major in cyber operations leading to a career as an information warfare officer.
Chmiel is ranked fourth academically in his class and is a National Merit Scholarship finalist. He played three seasons for the varsity tennis team, most recently winning the Section II, Class AA doubles title. He plans to study aeronautical engineering, and nuclear weapons and strategy while preparing to become an air force officer.
“I have decided to attend a United States service academy so I may dedicate myself and my career to defending the Constitution and citizens of the U.S. and our allies,” Chmiel said. “I opted to apply to the Air Force Academy because I am greatly interested in military aircraft and aerial warfare.”
Feldhaus has played for the varsity football team and has been an integral member of Saratoga crew during his high school career. He focused on engineering classes at HVCC’s TEC-SMART program. He will be majoring in marine engineering, with a goal of becoming an officer in the Navy Reserves.
Choy is president of the Studied History of Conflicts Club and Library Club, class secretary (three years), varsity soccer team captain, and belongs to the school’s orchestra, Fiddle Club and Select Choral Ensemble. He plans to study history and become an infantry officer.
Choy’s maternal grandfather, Sgt. Richard N. Strack, whom he never met, served in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II.
“Even though he passed away before Hunter was born, family members made sure Hunter heard stories about his grandfather so he would have a connection with him,” Cindy Choy said.
Also, her husband Manny’s mother -- Hunter’s grandmother -- was a young girl in China during World War II and suffered greatly during the Japanese occupation of her country, and then again when communists came to power.
“It took Norma, along with her young daughter, Mey, almost eight years to leave China, first immigrating to Peru and eventually to America,” Cindy Choy said. “Norma wanted to make sure her children never suffered from war, from communist oppression and had a chance for a solid education. America was the only place that could safeguard her desires. As the son of an immigrant, Hunter is acutely aware that he is the benefactor of those who have come before him and sacrificed so much to get here.”
Now he and his Saratoga Springs classmates plan to serve their country by giving back while pursuing their respective military careers.