Military Academy Barred From H.S. Awards Ceremony
Two Students Win Scholarships To West Point

BOSTON -- Two local high school students have earned scholarships to West Point, but when it comes to awards night at their school the military is not invited.

Some said it's a big disservice to those who are ready to serve their country.

Newscenter Five's Sean Kelly reported that the principal of King Phillip Regional High School in Wrentham, Mass., told the U.S. Army it would not be welcome at a scholarship banquet that will be held to honor two graduates who have received scholarships to West Point Military Academy.

The town has many memorials to military who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country, but some say that kind of patriotism and respect is not reflected at the high school.


"I was disappointed because I thought everyone should really be educated on what West Point is about and how we're going to serve our country," student Jeff Chin said.

"It is a little bit of a disappointment to not have this kind of a special thing for Jeff and I not go on because we've been expecting it," Will Small said.

It is a West Point tradition to have Army officers representing the elite military school award incoming students their scholarships at their own high school banquets. But King Phillip has its own rules that bar such participation.

"I think they are being a little protective. I think they think if they let West Point or Annapolis in, then there will be recruiters that come next and they'll be trying to persuade these kids to join the military," Will's father, Alan, said.

Will Small said he's disappointed, but not bitter about his school's policy.

"They've done everything for me that's gotten me in there. They've provided the sports programs, the music programs, the academics that have taught me and gotten me the good SAT scores," Will Small said.

But they're not allowing his unique turn at being honored. His parents believe the policy of no college representatives at awards nights targets military academies.

"I better not see any private colleges or universities there Wednesday night. I'll be very disappointed," Alan Small said.

Neither the school principal or superintendent could be reached during the Memorial Day holiday for further comment.

Copyright 2006 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://tinyurl.com/r9nh2

It's Boston.

They vote Ted Kennedy into office.

What do you expect?







ps: They're not ALL morons, but obviously a good share of them are.

I guess they think that this land they enjoy just popped up out of nothing. Obviously they think the military that has kept this land free so the people can pursue their happiness is evil. Like I say, freedom isn't cheap, but some people are.

The military has no place in public schools.

Says who? You? So much for being tolerant of other's beliefs. The military has as much right there as you do. They are American citizens the same as you. Are you always intolerant of those you disagree with?

Is that more crap you just made up?

Or are you afraid the military booth might take away the space reserved for condom dispensers.

That is clearly what everybody in Boston and the Metro area believe.

I know that the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy came to my school every year the night before graduation (usually 2 or more of them) and I never saw it as a problem. These kids are just being honored because they are entering the service and that's a pretty big deal. The officers that came to my school never had anything to do with recruiting or that sort of thing. It is really an honorary thing. I think this is a shame but I will say that nobody else receives individual recognition for their college choice at graduation, even though everyone put in the work for the same classes, sports programs, music programs etc.

I don't really look at military recruiters any differently then college recruiters or job-fair recruiters. I guess if it's okay for one "group" to be there, why not the other "groups"?

It would seem to me that the military's values would be in direct conflict with the values of schools, where they teach you to avoid violent confrontations and not to use violence to solve problems.