St. Charles East Softball Standout Headed to West Point

Throughout the course of her high school academic and athletic career, Rae Anne Payleitner has displayed outstanding leadership qualities.

The St. Charles East senior has taken advantage of every opportunity that has come her way, whether it was serving two years on student council, appearing in mock trial, helping out in the Saints’ athletic training program, or spending her late-winter and spring months as a member of the softball team.

She will soon add serving her country to a long list of duties and accomplishments, after the youngest of parents Jay and ’s five children recently accepted an offer to attend the U.S. Military Academy.

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Payleitner, who owns the Saints’ career home run record with 26, will also play softball at West Point, N.Y.

“I’m very excited,” said Payleitner. “After they called me to set up an appointment, I took a night to think about it. I called my (four) brothers and talked with my parents and made the decision.”

Until about a year ago, Payleitner hadn’t entertained any thoughts of attending a military academy. In fact, she was considering attending DePaul.

“That’s when I received some information from the Air Force Academy, and got an email from the Navy softball coach,” recalled Payleitner. “I did some more research and talked with a couple people who had attended West Point.”

And then things started to snowball.

“The more I found out, the more I began thinking that this is my calling,” said Payleitner, a three-year varsity softball catcher/first baseman.

Admittedly, Payleitner’s early conversations with her family about possibly attending a military academy were a bit difficult.

“It was weird talking to my parents about it at first,” said the 18-year-old. “I think it took them by surprise. But they’ve gotten used to it now and they’re very supportive. They’ve always been very supportive of whatever I’ve chosen to do.

“My brothers are also very supportive,” Payleitner added. “At first, they were in denial that it was actually going to happen because I don’t think they liked the idea of their little sister being in the military academy. They’re very protective but they understand.”

Throughout the years, her older brothers, Alec, Isaac, Randy, and Max, have played an influential role in Rae Anne’s development.

“I literally grew up at St. Charles and St. Charles East High School,” she said. “I watched Isaac, Randy and Max become three-sport varsity athletes, and I developed an appreciation for them as athletes and as well-rounded individuals/honors students. I wanted to be just like them.”

Payleitner, who recently was named as the school’s Female Athlete of the Year (her brother Max was selected as the Male Athlete of the Year in 2003-04), knows what her priorities will be at West Point.

“You’re a student first, then a member of the military and an athlete,” said Payleitner, whose grandfather was the principal at Geneva’s Harrison Street School in the 1960s and 70s. “I believe my personality has helped set me up well to succeed in this lifestyle.”

The 12-year commitment involves attending the academy for four years, becoming a commissioned officer on active duty for a minimum of five years, and serving three years in the Army reserves. She will leave for basic training on June 25.

“A lot of people are asking why I’m sacrificing 12 years of my life but I think it’s the exact opposite,” said Payleitner. “I feel I’m taking advantage of an incredible opportunity. I’m attending the college of my dreams.”