Cortez Receives Appointment To West Point U.S. Military Academy

Fifty-eight Dalton High School students received various scholarships to multiple institutions amounting to $1.8 million, not including the Hope or Zell Miller Scholarships. One of the students is Jesus Cortez and his scholarship is worth $450,000.  

Cortez was the first DHS student to be appointed to West Point United States Military Academy in 15 years. The academy boasts four presidents as alumni and holds a #1 ranking by U.S. News and World Report and Forbes magazine as the best public or private undergraduate university and service academy in the nation. Currently, over 4,400 cadets from around the world attend West Point. 

“I couldn’t believe it, “ said Cortez, a senior at DHS. “It seems like one of those things that only happens on TV. I never thought it would happen to me.” 

“This is huge for Jesus,” said Major Charles Cook, military admissions liaison officer and Florida State Congressional District coordinator for the directorate of admissions and the Reserve Affairs Officer at the directorate of admissions. Major Cook also works with candidates for admission to West Point outside of his area on a case-by-case basis.  

“Each year, over 15,500 students opened admissions files thinking they have prepared themselves for the rigors of the Long Grey Line,” said Major Cook as he presented Cortez’s appointment award at DHS’s Scholarship Night. “Of that number, this year only 1,250 received the offer letter, about seven percent. One of Dalton High’s own has joined this select group and will become a member of the Long Grey Line.” 

Cortez is the oldest of three siblings. He is a Dalton-native, a first generation American and the first in his family to be accepted to college. Throughout high school, Cortez has been an active participant in student council, held leadership positions in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and volunteered often.  He was an Advanced Placement Scholar. The last two years of high school, he enrolled in a full load of International Baccalaureate courses and is a candidate for the IB diploma. He held a steady part-time job and managed to fit in track and cross-country. 

Cortez attributes the majority of his success to the experiences he had at DHS. 

“Opportunities come together by people working together,” Cortez said. “At Dalton High, students are given many opportunities to serve in the community or in the school. Students are also encouraged to take IB courses and rigorous classes if it’s something they want to do. This school provides many opportunities for students to prepare themselves for college and life.” 

In addition to the experiences, Cortez made strong connections, or “friends” as he refers to them, with Dalton Public Schools faculty.  

“I had a lot of people helping me,” said Cortez. “My fifth grade teacher, Dr. Angela Finn, and her husband saw that I had a lot of interest in applying to the academy so they gave me a lot of tips. I also looked up to Sgt. Maj. Vazquez, 1st Sgt. Jackson, Mrs. Brigman, Mrs. Siefert, Mrs. Franey and Mr. Bartoo. Everywhere you look, you can see role models.” 

Cortez will spend the next four years in a challenging academic program and rigorous physical training while developing leadership skills and moral-ethical training to develop skills essential to becoming a commissioned “leader of character.” After graduation, he will hold the title of a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. 

After graduation, Cortez will be a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. According to Major Cook, the title is what Cortez makes of it. 

“Graduating from West Point does not guarantee success,” said Major Cook. “However, it does give you the foundation to construct a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.” 

Cortez isn’t entirely sure which direction he will go after graduating from West Point – join the military or go to dental school and then join the Army. But he is sure of one thing: 

“I’d like to give service as best as I can.”