Mansfielder headed to U.S. Air Force Academy
Allyson Gatchall of Mansfield has been appointed to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Each year, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown nominates up to 10 students for each service academy requiring congressional recommendations: the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy. A nomination does not guarantee acceptance into a service academy. The Academy’s Admissions Board ultimately decides who receives an appointment.
Allyson, 18, is the daughter of Scott and Jennifer Gatchall of Mansfield.
She received the appointment on March 15.
She will graduate June 5 with two diplomas from Wooster High School and the Tri-County International Baccalaureate Academy. She will graduate with highest honors summa cum laude.
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Her high school honors and activities include National Honor Society, All-Conference and All-District soccer and track, ski patroller, ski instructor and soon she will have her private pilot's license.
She plans to major in regional foreign studies at the Air Force Academy and become a fighter pilot.
Allyson attended Mansfield St. Peter's High School from pre-k through sophomore year before attending Wooster High School and its college prep program.
She commutes weekdays to Wooster from Mansfield.
The outgoing Allyson will start basic training on June 23.
"I knew I wanted to go there after I visited the campus in February 2020 — and I love to ski," she said.
Brown said, “I’m proud to announce that Mansfield resident Allyson Gatchall, a senior at Wooster High School, member of the soccer and track teams and an officer in the National Honor Society, has received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.
"I was honored to nominate her to the prestigious academy to serve as part of the next generation of military leaders. She embodies the integrity and courage needed to represent and uphold the values of our state and our nation,” Brown said.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Allyson Gatchall, 18, of Mansfield, plans to become a fighter pilot
