CAPE CENTRAL SENIOR EARNS WEST POINT ADMISSION

Matthew Jackson decided when he was in eighth grade he'd like to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

He then methodically set out to gain acceptance to the highly selective university.

Jackson, a Cape Girardeau Central High School senior, is one of just over a thousand applicants admitted to West Point's Class of 1997. Over 13,000 students apply each year.

Jackson was nominated for appointment by Sen. John Danforth. He is the son of David and Kathleen Jackson of Cape Girardeau.

"When I was in the eighth grade my parents wanted me to start looking for a college. They hinted at West Point it is free," Jackson said. The education is valued at $196,000.

"My first response was `That's a military academy,'" he recalled. But he wrote for information from the school, and that information sparked his interest.

He then talked with a neighbor, John Landgraf, who had attended the military academy. "He really got me interested," Jackson said.

Once Jackson made up his mind to attend, he deliberately set out to do the things needed for selection.

"In the ninth and tenth grades, I worked hard, took the ACT and made a mental list of what I would have to do so that I looked good when I was a senior."

He racked up an impressive resume.

He ranks 18 of 304 seniors, participates in choir, newspaper and yearbook staff, drama club, Spanish club, National Honor Society, Cross Country, and is Student Council chairperson.

He attended Missouri Boys' State, is a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, a volunteer at Southeast Missouri Hospital, and a volunteer for Congressman Bill Emerson and State Senator Peter Kinder's campaigns.

Jackson has also worked part-time since 1987.

"My strong point, I think, is my diversity of activities," Jackson said. "I have done a lot of different things."

His ACT composite score of 32 of a possible 36 doesn't hurt.

Jackson said he has spent considerable time in Cape Girardeau Army recruiter Michael Knott's office, learning everything he can about life at the academy. Knott too is a West Point graduate.

Jackson leaves June 27 and the school year begins July 1 with two weeks of boot camp before classes begin.

Jackson plans to major in English or political science. After graduation, he hopes to attend law school.

"I've worked so hard," Jackson said. "It wasn't really a surprise. I knew I had my bases covered. But for all these years it has been more of a dream, and now it has been realized. Now comes the tough part, actually attending the academy."