By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
In the group photo of GHS graduates, Cadet Pearce is third from the right end, and seventh from the left. Contributed Photo
Austin Pearce has felt a need to serve others, and it was during his junior year at Geneseo High School that he discovered the opportunities that West Point Military Academy presented, and determined that it was the right place for him after graduating from GHS in May of 2025.
He has been at home in Geneseo for the holidays and will return this weekend to begin his second academic semester at West Point, located in West Point, N.Y.
After completing his second semester, his summer will consist of military focused training along with military schools such as Airborne and Air Assault.
His parents are Jason and Jennifer Pearce, Geneseo, and he has an older brother, Keaton Pearce, who attends Michigan State University….”I also have a Great Pyrenees dog named Rosie,” he added.
At GHS, he was heavily involved in FFA and served as the Chapter Vice President of Growing Leaders and Section treasurer…”I also am a semi-professional race car drive with SCCA (Sports Car Club of America),” he said.
The journey to the elite West Point institution began in June of 2025 for Cadet Pearce.
In the group photo of West Point Cadets, Geneseo High School graduate Austin Pearce is fourth from the left.
“R-Day (Reception Day) marked the beginning of my West Point experience and cadet basic training,” he said. ‘This was the first time that I had been to West Point. My parents dropped me off and for the next six weeks I had little to no contact with my friends and family.”
During that isolated six weeks, he and 1,200 other new cadets were focused on military training
“After completing our six weeks of training, my class together marched back from field operations – 14 miles to West Point with 50-plus pounds of gear,” he said. ‘The following week included A-Day (Acceptance Day) where I saw my family for the first time since they dropped me off.”
During the A-Day Ceremony, Cadet Pearce marched on to the West Point Plain with his Class to officially join the West Point Corps of Cadets and recite his Cadet Oath, which he shared:
“I, Austin Pearce, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and bear true allegiance to the national Government; that I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States, paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe to any State or country whatsoever; and that I will at all times obey the legal orders of my superior officers, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so help me God.”
At West Point, Pearce is part of the CERTT (Cadet Emergency Response Training Team) Club which gives him the opportunity to volunteer at local ambulance stations on weekends, and he added, ”The classes I have been taking at West Point include normal college classes such as English and Math, as well as military focused classes including boxing, combative, and military science and history. In the future I will be taking Russian courses.”
When he graduates from West Point, Pearce said he is considering majoring in aerospace engineering, and added, “I am also interested in branching in Army Aviation once I graduate.’
When asked if there is a tuition cost associated with attending West Point, Pearce replied, “There is no tuition cost associated with attending West Point, however I have a 5 1/2 -year service requirement in the Army following my West Point graduation.”
Another question asked of Cadet Pearce was about how one is accepted at West Point, and he explained, “There are multiple steps in the application process of West Point including online applications, a lot of essays, letters of recommendation, interviews, physical tests, medical screenings and securing a congressional or vice-presidential nomination. He secured both.
MORE ABOUT WEST POINT
“West Point is considered an elite institution known for its extreme selectivity, rigorous academics, demanding physical training, leadership development, and prestigious alumni network, offering a fully-funded education in exchange for military service. It is ranked among top national colleges and is a premier military academy, attracting top students nationwide for its blend of military and civilian education.
Admission to West Point is highly competitive. Thousands apply, but only about 1,000 are admitted annually, requiring excellent grades, test scores, leadership, and a Congressional nomination.”
