Local teen a nominee for West Point

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A local high school student may be on his way to attending the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York.

Among six North Dakota students chosen, Kohl Koppinger of Dickinson, a student at Trinity High School, was awarded a principle nomination by Sen. Kent Conrad, announced Friday morning.

In what is a lengthy and tedious application process, potential students for armed service academies must be nominated by a member of Congress or the vice president.

“I’m proud to nominate these students to our military academies,” said Conrad in a press release. “These young men are some of the best and the brightest. They are true leaders and a credit to both North Dakota and our nation.”

Final acceptance decisions are made by the academy, in Koppinger’s case, West Point.

A member of the National Honor Society, Koppinger also participates in several extra-curricular activities, according to the press release. He also served as his junior class secretary and a senior class officer.

“When you get a congressional appointment, that’s a pretty big deal,” said Heather Schino, a teacher and counselor at Trinity.

Schino wrote Koppinger a letter of recommendation for his application and has nothing but accolades for him.

“He is a very personable young man … gets along well with people of all ages and I think one of my favorite things about Kohl is he is always in a good mood,” Schino said. “He is the happiest kid.”

Schino said Koppinger is very committed.

“Once he decides that he wants to do something, he is very determined,” Schino said.

Schino thought Koppinger, a hockey player for Dickinson High School, had a hockey game Friday evening as a call to Koppinger and his parents, Kelly and Judy Koppinger, went unreturned.

“It doesn’t matter whether he’s on the field or off the field, he’s an exceptional athlete and student,” Schino said.

Koppinger has accomplished one of the biggest hurdles in reaching his goal.

“When he found out that he got the appointment, I was coming to school and he was at the bottom of the steps grinning from ear to ear … and rightfully so,” Schino said. “This grin was a little bigger than usual.”

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