Posted: Saturday, June 2, 2012 10:59 pm

By Howard Roden, Conroe Courier Reporter

THE WOODLANDS – Attending a military academy has been James Cullingford’s goal for at least the past two years. Now he’s headed to the U.S. Naval Academy, and he’s the first of his family to do so.

“He always talked about it,” said Jeff Cullingford, James’ father. “We’re very proud of what he’s decided to do.”

Cullingford was among eight Montgomery County high school graduates who received appointments from U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands. For the 16th year, Brady held his traditional send-off breakfast for the group and their parents Saturday morning at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

A swimmer at Conroe High School, James Cullingford has initial plans to study aeronautical engineering while attending the academy in Annapolis, Md.

“It’s something that has meant a great deal to me,” said the CHS graduate, who was joined at the breakfast with his mother, Ronanne and sister Paige.

“Our nation’s future depends upon a new generation of young people willing to serve their country as military leads. It’s never been more important than now,” Brady said. “I’m proud of the outstanding young men and women of the eighth congressional district who’ve been chosen to attend America’s service academies. It’s a remarkable education and an opportunity to give back to their country.”

The remaining incoming class of cadets and midshipmen include,

• Francisco Solano-Bloodworth, of The Woodlands College Park, Air Force Academy;

• Jonathan DeBaugh, of Conroe High, U.S. Naval Academy;

• Christopher Ditter, of The Woodlands College Park, Air Force Academy;

• Samuel Finney, of Strake Jesuit College Prep, West Point;

• Stephanie Mallard, The Woodlands College Park, Air Force Academy;

• Megan Reutzel, The Woodlands College Park, U.S. Naval Academy;

• Alexia Ricketts, The Woodlands, U.S. Naval Academy.

The send-off also featured Major Amy Glisson as the guest speaker. Having served as executive officer for the elite Thunderbird team, she shared her experiences during her four years at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., with the audience Saturday.

“You can’t see past the first day (of academy life), but at the end of the four years friends and family won’t recognize you because of the changes that you’ve made,” said Glisson, an All-American gymnast for the Falcons.

“There are times you will fail, but you learn how to fail forward and move past those experiences,” she said.

Also in attendance Saturday was Glisson’s husband, retired Air Force captain Wes Glisson. A native of New Waverly, Wes Glisson was assigned to the Green Zone in Iraq where he suffered critical battlefield injuries.

Wes Glisson’s father, Jim, is a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

College Park grade Stephanie Mallard, the daughter of George and Susie Mallard, is headed for the Air Force Academy to study chemistry and computer science. Just surviving the nomination process was enough of a challenge.

“It’s a very intensive process,” she said. “You write at least three or four essays, provide 10 letters of recommendation and sit through two interviews.”

In order to be offered an appointment to a service academy, candidates must first be nominated by their U.S. representative or senator.

Read the full story in Sunday's Conroe Courier here.