Denton ISD Our Impact In Your Community Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 11

“I was just thinking, hey great, a Friday we can
miss class,” said Kennedi Roberson, Guyer High
School junior. “As the day progressed and I got
more into it, it became serious because if I’m
considering going into the military this might
just be the day that I learn what it takes to get
into one of the best
schools in the country.”
The leadership
conference was
only the fourth of its
kind spearheaded
by Beverly Johnson,
a 1986 graduate of
West Point, and the
first to be hosted
in partnership with
a major university.
Previous conferences
focused on the
application process.
The partnership
with UNT expanded
the day allowing
middle school and
high school students
to work alongside
college students
who are majoring
in engineering on
computer coding,
bridge building and
drafting as well as
physical fitness.
‘I really like this,’” said Kennedi. “And, after
speaking candidly with the Cadets, I thought to
myself, I can do this – I would love to be a part
of this.”
For Cadet McKenna Pressley, attending West
Point was her goal at
a very early age. In
fact, it was the only
place to which she
applied after growing
up in South Oak Cliff.
The visit home was a
terrific opportunity to
visit with her mom who
is attending UNT Law
School and share
her experience.
“I was all ‘in’, and
attending West Point
was my dream, so I
guess I want to share
with students at
this conference that
setting this as a goal is
attainable,”
said McKenna.
For Ms. Johnson, the
day was a culmination
of her work and love of
helping young people.
West Point Cadet McKenna Pressley walks AFJROTC candidates
through the physical fitness portion of the application to a US
Military Service Academy.
Ms. Johnson, who
is the managing
partner of PJS Tax & Wealth
Services in Dallas, serves as
the liaison for high school
students who wish to receive
a recommendation from
Congresswoman Eddie
Bernice Johnson of the 30th
Texas Congressional District
and other members of the
U.S. Congress, a key piece of
the application process for all
national service academies.
“I was all ’in’, and attending West
Point was my dream, so I guess
I want to share with students at
this conference that setting this as
a goal is attainable.”
— McKenna Pressley
“Our goal is to plant
seeds and create ideas
in young people that
attending a military
service academy is
well within their grasp if
they set a goal and work
hard to achieve it,” said
Ms. Johnson. “Adding the
partnership with UNT really
made this day special, and
showed students that there
are amazing options and
opportunities for them –
near and far.”
“There was a specific moment when I thought,
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