EAST ST.LOUIS, Ill., - Most high school seniors spend their final months before graduation thinking about prom, getting their diploma and maybe college.
An 18-year-old high school senior and Illinois Army National Guard member has higher expectations.
Pfc. Jordan Leskera, a member of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry in Litchfield, Ill., has been accepted by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
"I am still in shock," Jordan said after finding out at a small ceremony on Jan. 23 in front of his military peers at the East St. Louis armory. "This is a great feeling, and I am speechless."
West Point graduate and Illinois' 19th District Congressman John Shimkus of Collinsville and Department of Veterans Affairs Director Dan Grant of Springfield, a 2002 graduate of West Point and Illinois Army Guardsman, were part of the ceremony to welcome Leskera into a special group of leaders.
Shimkus said he was honored to be part of the memorable day. "This is multiple times special for me because of the relationship I have with the family," he said. "It is good to see this young man answer the call to serve. The National Guard has prepared him well and Jordan has been working hard to achieve this."
Brig. Gen. Ronald Morrow, the assistant adjutant general for the Illinois Army National Guard, stood alongside Shimkus and Grant to present the acceptance letter to Leskera.
"In 32 years of the military, this is the first time I have met an Illinois National Guard Soldier, who has been selected for this unique opportunity," Morrow said. "It demonstrates the professionalism of the Illinois Guard for one of our Soldiers to be selected to attend West Point."
West Point is known as the premier school for young Army officers and is the oldest military academy in the United States. About 85 slots in the school are reserved for National Guard and Reserve Soldiers each year.
Leskera enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in December 2008 and has completed basic training.
Jordan's father, Jay Leskera, encouraged his son to apply for West Point and was all smiles as he watched Jordan be recognized for this accomplishment.
"I am swelling with pride," he said. "This is the happiest day I have ever had as a parent, only to be exceeded by the day he graduates."
Besides family who gathered for the special event, Grant helped introduce a future West Point cadet to a top-notch group of Soldiers.
"It's great to see the next generation of West Point cadets coming from the Illinois National Guard," Grant said. "It shows the professionals the National Guard produces and Jordan will do great at the academy."
West Point, which is 50 miles north of New York City, trains approximately 4,400 cadets each year. The academy has trained Soldiers since 1802.
Famous American leaders, such President/Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, who was an Illinois National Guardsman, Gen. Robert E. Lee, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, President/Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. George Patton, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and Gen. David Petraeus are among the more than 50,000 graduates.
At the end of the ceremony, Jordan was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he would be among the elite when he attends West Point and becomes part of the Class of 2014.
"This is an amazing opportunity and will allow me to be trained as a great leader," Jordan said. "West Point is the best military school in the world and now I can be trained by the best as I try to become the best. This is a great feeling."