News Article

Edison Student Morgan Pepitone is First Hendry County Woman to Attend West Point

May 20, 2013

APRIL 23, 2013 – LABELLE, FLA. – “Future West Point alumna” may not be the first thought that comes to mind when one sees Edison State College dual enrollment student Morgan Pepitone. But after talking to the petite, five-foot-tall 18-year-old with hot pink fingernails, it’s quickly obvious why the United States Military Academy initially approached her.

“I enjoy challenges,” she said. “School is how I challenge myself. I was always weeks ahead in my homework and class lessons because instead of going out on the weekends, I stayed home and studied. I knew that pushing myself was the way I was going to be able to do what I wanted with my life.”

When the LaBelle High School student learned she could dual enroll at Edison State College and earn her associate’s degree while she was still in high school, she quickly jumped at the chance.

“Some people were not very supportive of it, but my parents and brother were very encouraging. I’m happy I didn’t listen to the ones who said I shouldn’t because Edison State College has opened so many doors for me that I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” she said.

Pepitone dual enrolled at Edison when she was a sophomore, the same year that colleges and universities began sending her interest letters. When she received an interest letter from The United States Military Academy West Point, she tossed it in the pile with the others. It was her parents who convinced her to take a second look.

“I didn’t really know what West Point was, but my parents were very adamant about me looking deeper into it,” she said.

During the summer before her junior year, Pepitone attended West Point’s summer leader seminar where she got to see what a day at West Point was like. She attended classes, participated in physical training, and experienced first-hand what all West Point students do on a daily basis.

“After experiencing it in person, I realized I wasn’t going to get challenged anywhere else the way I would there,” she said.  “It was the best place for me.”

Pepitone found that even just applying to West Point was a challenge.  First, she had to take a fitness test and undergo a physical health exam. Then she had to interview with various state senators and congressmen to determine if she was truly committed to West Point. She also had to secure a nomination from one of them, which she did from Congressman Tom Rooney. She later learned that not only had she earned his nomination, she was also his number one pick. Pepitone was accepted to West Point in the first round.

She credits her experience at Edison State College with preparing her for the rigorous academics and daily schedule she’ll encounter at West Point.

“At West Point, you’re required to take 18 credits a semester, as well as participate in an intramural sport, attend physical training in the mornings, and complete one chore every day,” Pepitone said. “Taking the extra credits at Edison along with my high school classes, participating in extracurricular activities after school, tutoring middle school students, and working babysitting jobs have all helped me learn to manage my time.”

“My professors at Edison have been so encouraging and have taken the time to help me outside of class when they were busy themselves,” she said. “Professor Denton DiPofi was a part of my decision to go to West Point. He really encouraged me and made sure we all learned in his class. Professor Sandra Seifert helped me with math when I needed it. Both really understood what I wanted to do and helped me get there any way they could.”

“Morgan is more than a winner . . . she’s a one-er,” said Dr. Denton DiPofi, Coordinator of Academic Services, Edison State College Hendry/Glades Center. “I have not only had the privilege of witnessing her intellect, professionalism and selflessness in class, but also her leadership skills as a tireless innovator in her college club activities. She is goal-driven, well beyond her years in maturity, and sensitive to the needs of others. Her success at West Point will be demonstrated as an overflow of her disciplined character.”

“Even though Morgan is a dual enrollment student and engaged in numerous extracurricular activities at her high school, she still found the time to be involved in the college campus culture,” said Sandra Seifert, professor, Mathematics. “I have had the privilege of working with her in her capacity as president of the Hendry/Glades chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.  She is a dedicated president, rallying her troops and taking the lead on many projects. I know that she will excel at West Point and will do her soon-to-be alma mater proud, because that is her nature. She is someone who is serious about her studies and is determined to do well in all that she attempts.”

Having grown up in a close family, following the strict rules and discipline that are enforced at West Point is not a problem for Pepitone. She does admit, however, that there are some things about attending the military academy that make her nervous.

“I wonder if I’m going to be okay being away from my family for so long, and I worry about getting through the physical training. I’m also going to have to give up some things I enjoy, like makeup and girlie stuff,” she laughed. “But I just try to keep telling myself that there were others who came before me who were just as bad off, just as scared, and they made it, so, I can, too.”

Pepitone is the first woman from Hendry County to attend West Point. She will be one of only 187 women in her class of 1050 students, and she believes women should be active in all areas of the military, even combat.

“There are men who think women shouldn’t be in the military, so I have to prepare myself mentally to be ready for that. But women can do just as much as men can. We may be smaller, but we’re tough,” she said. “We shouldn’t be afraid to do things that are a little crazy or out of the box if we think it’s right.”

When she graduates from West Point, Pepitone will be a second lieutenant in the United States Army and will serve five years of active duty, following which she plans to attend law school and join the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. Though she admits joining the military was not her first choice in a career, now she is confident she made the right choice. Pepitone plans to stay in the military for life.

“Duty. Honor. Country. It is the greatest decision I have ever made,” she said.

“Some people will say you can’t do something, but you don’t have to listen to them,” Pepitone said. “If someone says ‘you can’t’, use it as a motivator to say ‘I will’. It’s all about what you want out of life and what you want to do as a person. The cliff isn’t always as high as you think it is.”

Last Updated: June 20, 2013