After convincing his parents to move from Idaho to attend Highline’s Aviation High School, Drew Hidalgo was accepted into three military leadership programs. He chose West Point.
Press release:
Aviation High School senior Drew Hidalgo has been appointed to attend West Point Military Academy, where he intends to pursue studies in behavioral sciences and engineering.
Drew earned a 3.8 grade point average in high school, taking a challenging schedule of classes, including Advanced Placement courses. During his junior year, Drew participated in Washington Aerospace Scholars program, which included a one-week summer residency in which he interacted with NASA engineers and innovators, astronauts and aerospace leaders.
Drew participates in Aviation High School’s Culture Club and National Honor Society chapter. Outside of school, he plays in a band, holds a part-time job, and regularly volunteers in the community. His community service projects include organizing a blood drive and a food drive and acting as an ambassador promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education to middle school youth. He is a certified SCUBA diver, is a member of a rowing team and is active in the Washington Biathlon Association.
“Drew is a dignified, exemplary role model,” says Aviation High School Principal Reba Gilman. “He is a driven young man with a profound commitment to being an exemplary worker and citizen.”
Drew grew up in Idaho, and as a middle school student dreamed of attending a military academy and pursuing a career in aviation/aerospace as a pilot or engineer.
At age 14, he read about Aviation High School and convinced his parents to move to the Seattle area so he could attend school there.
Last summer, Drew was accepted to three military leadership programs—West Point, Navy, and the US Air Force. He opted to attend the West Point program, and will start as a full-time cadet there in the fall.
