Hamilton resident Tyler Amison has been accepted to yhe United States Military Academy at West Point.
HAMILTON -- Thousands apply every year to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point but only a few are selected. Among those accepted in 2016 is Steinert High School graduate Tyler Amison.
Amison, 20, said he has dreamed of following in the tradition of his family's long line of military service since he was 4 years old - the year of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
"My family is defined by a long history of proud military service spanning three
Steinert High School graduate of 2014 Tyler Amison has been accepted into The United States Military Academy at West Point. generations," Amison said. "Learning and hearing about their service to our nation instilled in me an enormous amount of pride and respect for all who wear the uniform."
Amison said he leaves for West Point in June where he will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He hopes to become an officer in either the infantry or aviation field after graduation.
Amison said in the two years it took to be accepted into West Point, he never lost hope.
"Although I was rejected coming out of high school and again fell short of receiving my appointment last year, I did not let that decision guide my destiny," Amison said.
Amison said for the past two years he has attended Greystone Preparatory School at Schreiner University in Texas where he bettered himself "athletically, mentally and morally."
While at Greystone, Amison said he continued to apply to West Point. His hometown congressman, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) granted him a nomination each year - a requirement to apply.
"I would not say that I am glad that I was rejected the previous two tries," he said. "However, I am thankful that the rejections have allowed me to mature more and grow as an individual."
In addition to obtaining a nomination, Amison said he had to write several essays as part of the West Point application.
"These essays really make you reflect upon yourself as to why you want to be a leader in the world's greatest military," he said. "The worst part about the application process is the wait."
Amison said he submitted his application in November and did not receive his acceptance letter until early March.
Amison said he graduated high school with a grade point average of 3.9 - the top 20 percent of his class.
He said he played one year of lacrosse for Steinert his senior year - noting he focused more on community service and working part-time jobs in high school.
Amison said he worked at ShopRite, Food Service America at the Trenton Thunder ballpark in Trenton and at his local little league as an umpire.
He said he also was a student leader at Steinert, tutored students for the National Honor Society, tutored classmates in his Spanish class, volunteered at elementary schools and veterans hospitals and participated in Hurricane Sandy cleanup work.
"In 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore," Amison said. "I took it upon myself to join a church group the ensuing summer that restored fallen homes and buildings. I was given control of a group of teens and supervised many home-building endeavors."
Amison comes from a family driven by community service. His twin sisters - Steinert High School juniors - started a "Hoodies for the Homeless" drive, donating hundreds of sweatshirts to the Rescue Mission of Trenton in November.
Amison said his official "R Day" - West Point lingo for reception day, when he moves into the training base - is June 27. He will undergo six weeks of "Beast Barracks" - West Point's form of basic training - until classes start in August.
"I am most excited to embark on the journey to be an army officer whilst going through one of the best schools in the nation," Amison said. "It is a great honor to be chosen to train to lead the sons and daughters of this great nation."
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.