Lakewood Ranch senior gets congressional academy appointment

Jillian McManis – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) senior Jack Crosbie has earned an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, one of the most competitive colleges in the nation.

Crosbie said the moment he found out was both exciting and confusing. After being unexpectedly called to LRHS Principal Dustin Dahlquist’s office, he initially had no idea what was happening.

“I was super nervous,” said Crosbie.

“I’ve never been called down to the office before, so I couldn’t figure out what it was about.”

When he realized the call was from local Congressman Vern Buchanan, everything became clear.

“I was super relieved and super excited. I’ve been working toward this for years,” Crosbie continued.

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Admission to the Air Force Academy is extremely competitive. Applicants must excel academically, demonstrate leadership, pass a physical fitness assessment, and receive a congressional nomination.

The academy’s acceptance rate is roughly 14%, making it significantly lower than most colleges, which shows Crosbie’s achievement is especially rare.

Dahlquist praised Crosbie’s accomplishment, emphasizing that it reflects both individual dedication and the school’s support system.

“This is an amazing accomplishment for Jack and for LRHS. It shows that hard work does pay off. Getting a personal phone call from a congressman makes it even more special,” said Dahlquist

Crosbie mentioned the feeling of finally achieving his goal is unmatched. “Reaching success after working so hard for so long, nothing compares to that feeling,” he said.