Senior plans to attend prep school then famed U.S. Military Academy

When Ryan Pfaff got the large diploma-like folder in the mail, he knew he had some good news from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Common knowledge for those who apply is: If you get something physical in the mail, it’s usually a good sign. If you aren’t accepted, it’s generally an email.

“I’m looking into career military, but I also know that by the time that I would be asking myself if I want to be a career military it’s like 10 years from now,” the Sedona Red Rock High School senior said. “That’s the point when I would have to ask myself that question, and I don’t know how I’ll feel in 10 years.”

This fall, he’ll be attending the West Point Preparatory School with hopes to transition to the four-year West Point at the end of that year.

After studying there, it’s five years required service in the U.S. Army.

“The prep school means that they determined that I am qualified to go to West Point, but they think that I need one more year of schooling,” he said.

Readying for West Point

Pfaff attended a summer camp at the New York campus last year, where he and about 10 other rising seniors across the country learned about the school.

“I took some classes,” Pfaff said. “There was somephysical training stuff, and it was really just to show people who were in the application process what it was like to go to West Point.”

Pfaff said it helped him realize that while he’ll miss Arizona particularly in the winter, he’ll be able to handle being away from the summer heat.

His favorite part of the summer program, though, was getting to know the people he attended with.

“I’m still in contact with literally everyone that I went through it with,” Pfaff said. “We have a little group chat letting each other know … if we got into West Point or the prep school, or if we were just going to do ROTC at another school.”

During his time at SRRHS, Pfaff volunteered with the Interact Club, was president of the National Honor Society and treasurer for Student Council.

“A lot of it’s just been figuring out some of the financial details with student council,” he said. “So that would have been — I had to figure out how much money we could spend on prom.”

Pfaff is also currently a Sedona Police Cadet, attending weekly meetings and maintaining good academic standing.

Plans for West Point

Pfaff plans to study American politics or war studies.

“It’s my understanding … say if they need engineers and not enough people sign up for engineering — it is possible for them to just tell people that, ‘OK, we do need people to major in this, so we’ve decided that you’re majoring in this,’” Pfaff said.

One requirement at West Point is physical fitness. Every student needs to be enrolled in at least one sport.

“I’ve actually [been] looking into trying fencing,” he said “West Point fencing is apparently very competitive, but they do also take a lot of brand new people into it.”

While a Scorpion, he’s kept in shape by running track. In his senior year, he ran the 800- and 1600-meter events.

Nominations

The West Point application process requires a nomination from an elected official.

“Nominations are more accessible than many people realize,” West Point stated. “Every U.S. senator, U.S. representative and the vice president can nominate up to 15 candidates for each vacancy.”

Pfaff actually received two nominations, one from U.S. Rep. Eli Crane [R-District 2], and one from U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego [D-Arizona].

“Ryan Pfaff earned a service academy nomination due to his strong academic performance and excellent record of leadership,” Crane wrote in a statement to the NEWS. “He exemplifies the character and discipline that set candidates up for success, and he will be an outstanding addition to West Point. I’m grateful for the opportunity to advocate on his behalf, and we look forward to all he will accomplish in the years ahead.”

“Through his leadership in the Sedona community, Ryan has demonstrated the integrity, tenacity and commitment to serving others that define our service academies,” Gallego said. “I was proud to nominate him to West Point Academy, and I know he will go on to serve our country with honor and make Arizona proud. I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.”