Two MacArthur High School graduates will soon train at United States service academies as they work to become the next leaders in the U.S. Navy and Army.
Matthew Aguilar, a 2023 graduate, received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Luke Blackmon, a 2024 graduate, was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Aguilar originally applied last year but was not selected. Not wanting to give up on his dream, he continued working on his application and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in April. He said it was hard getting told ‘no’ in the first round, but he knew he had to keep going after his goal.
“For me, it really solidified that I wanted to be there after I was denied,” Aguilar said. “I’m glad I was denied originally because it gave me an extra year to grow. I had to ask myself if I really wanted this – For students going for this – make sure you want it, and don’t give up on it. I was taking classes, I was studying every day, and I was training physically. If it’s in your heart, and you want it, you’ll get it when you put everything on the line for it.”
His personal service to the U.S. Navy started with Boy Scouts. To become an Eagle Scout, Aguilar’s project brought the anchor of the USS Oklahoma City to be displayed as a memorial in Lawton’s Elmer Thomas Park.
“I have family in the Navy,” Aguilar said. “In the process of doing that project, I had to speak at different places and shipyards. I got to meet so many awesome people from the Navy. I knew I wanted to be in the military, but I wasn’t sure which branch. That experience sealed it for me.”
Blackmon’s path to the U.S. Army and the United States Military Academy was set long ago, as he was raised with a familiar saying to service members – “Go Army! Beat Navy!” Blackmon said his father is in the Army, and his brother is at West Point, so he’s always been surrounded by the Army growing up. He was thrilled to find out he was appointed.
“I was in my class – I wasn’t supposed to get the email about the appointment, and my parents were hiding it to formally congratulate me later,” he said. “An officer emailed me, and I started crying when I saw it. It was like a huge weight lifted. I’ve worked so much for this over the past four years.”
He knew from the start that he would seek out an Academy appointment, and he hopes to become an Engineering or Field Artillery Officer. Blackmon said every choice he’s made in high school – from activities, to sports, to academics – was all focused on building himself up for the nomination and appointment process.
“You have to be well-rounded,” Blackmon said. “Do everything – That includes good grades, playing sports, doing service projects, being a part of your community and making sure you’re involved in school and clubs. Doing everything you can is important. I would not be who I am today without trying to get into West Point.”