Pearl River Valedictorian Headed to West Point

Pearl River High School senior Craig Coyle never set out to become class valedictorian.

His goal was to go to West Point.

He earned both honors this year.

Coyle already knew he was class valedictorian when he found out he got the appointment to West Point April 10. He accepted the next day.

"I was so happy," Coyle said. "That was my goal. That’s where I want to go. To find out when I got in was even better than being valedictorian."

Not that Coyle wasn't excited about being class valedictorian. He simply didn't expect it to happen.

"I wasn’t really pursuing it," Coyle said. "I was kind of shocked. I was shocked to find out I was No. 2 at the beginning of the year, and to find out I was No. 1? Very surprising."

"Craig is one of those kids who doesn’t blow his own horn," said Pearl River Principal William Furdon. "He’s just out there doing the job. He always takes care of everybody around him. He’s one of those kids, you love to have your kid associated with him. He’s driven. He’s articulate. And bottom line, a nice kid."

Coyle said he has not started on his speech yet, but he is looking at it as a new experience.

"It's exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time," Coyle said. "It will be a new experience."

Coyle is currently taking five college-level courses -- AP Calculus, AP Government and Politics, SUNY Spanish and SUNY English (through Albany) and Advanced Forensics (through Syracuse).

Coyle pointed to his competitive nature as a key to his success in the classroom.

"I think it was me pushing myself," Coyle said. "I've always had determination and drive. I always wanted to be the best. I have three brothers and a sister. Whether it is Monopoly or playing my little brother in MLB 2K10, I always want to be the best. I always pushed myself and I guess that transferred over to school."

It also carried over to athletics. Coyle competed for the varsity wrestling team for three years, including this season at 135 pounds. He also played two seasons of varsity football as a receiver and free safety.

Coyle's well-rounded background was important for reaching his goal of getting into West Point, something he started working on when he applied for the Summer Leader's Seminar in 2009. The seminar is for high school juniors who want to attend West Point.

Once he got into that, he had to apply to the school and for a congressional nomination, a requirement for acceptance into West Point. U.S. Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) provided the nomination.

"Once you get the nomination, you go into a pool of people," Coyle said. "Each congressman and senator gets one person selected for appointment. They usually rank them. I wasn’t ranked first, so I was put into the national waiting list and I was eventually selected from that."

Coyle has heard stories of life in the military from his grandfather, John Harvey, who served during the Korean War.

"I always wanted to have an exciting career," Coyle said. "The army just stood out to me. I would love to serve my nation. It’s also an honor to go to West Point."

Coyle understands that he has a very structured college life ahead of him, something he believes will help him.

"I definitely think so," Coyle said. "I've never been a party guy. I'm looking forward to it, meeting new people and being in that kind of society."

"I couldn't be happier for him getting his goal of getting into West Point," said Furdon, a retired Navy pilot. "Being a former military guy, it's nice to have somebody like him representing the military in the future. He will be successful in whatever he does in life. He is someone who not only takes care of himself, but everyone around him. He will be a great leader."

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week

Whiz Kid: Craig Coyle, 17

Whiz Kid's School: Pearl River High School, 12th grade

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Coyle is Pearl River's senior class valedictorian. He has accepted an appointment to West Point.