Pair Of Northridge Seniors Accepted Into Elite Service Academies

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A pair of Northridge High School students and cadets in the Bryant High School Marine Corps JROTC program will school continue their educations at two of the most prestigious schools in the world.

Tuscaloosa City Schools this week said cadets Forrest York and Hughes Deschner, both seniors from Northridge High School, recently received notifications of their respective appointments to the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy (West Point).

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Major J.D. York, the Senior Marine Instructor for Bryant JROTC said it is rare to have any cadet selected to the elite service academies, with only one coming out of the program in the nine years the MCJROTC program has existed.

"To have two in the same year is simply phenomenal, and is a testament to what great kids we have in our program," he said.

York is the son of the Major J.D. and Maureen York, and received his notification last week from Congressman Robert Aderholt’s office that he had received an appointment.

“Attending the Naval Academy has been my goal ever since I was able to go there after my freshman year as part of a JROTC summer camp,” he said. “I knew then that I wanted to be a part of the great history and tradition there, and learn at the best engineering school in the country.”

York expressed plans to major in aerospace engineering and hopes to qualify as a USMC aviator for his military career.

Deschner is the son of Monte Deschner and Pamela Hughes who also received his notification from Aderholt this week.

“I was ecstatic when I heard the news, and very excited for my future at West Point,” he said.

Deschner plans to major in either mechanical engineering or kinesiology, and hopes to qualify as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.