SHEEPSHEAD BAY — James Friscia, 17 and a senior at St. Edmund Preparatory High School, is the first person in the school’s almost 95-year history to be accepted into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“I was just so happy,” James said, recalling the moment he learned he was West Point-bound. “I was so shocked because I didn’t expect this to happen. But my parents were celebrating. They always felt I would make it.”
Only 12% of applicants are accepted into West Point in any given year. Potential cadets must go through a lengthy and detailed application process that includes not only proving academic excellence, but passing rigorous physical fitness tests, demonstrating leadership skills, and submitting to several interviews.
“It’s not like a traditional college application process. It took almost a year,” James said. “I started the process in March (2025) and found out that I got accepted in February.”
To demonstrate leadership skills, he noted on his application that he is president of the Investment Club, treasurer of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, lead drummer in the school’s music program and equipment manager for the robotics team. He is also a member of the International Baccalaureate Program, which offered the opportunity to take college-level courses.
Applicants to any of the U.S. service academies must also be recommended by either their congressional representative, both U.S. senators from their state, or the vice president of the U.S. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, whose congressional district includes Sheepshead Bay, wrote a letter of recommendation for James.
James also credited the support he received from his parents and the assistance he got from St. Edmund’s principal, Allison McGuiness, and college counselor, Ann Coughlin. “They were behind me all the way,” he said.
“My husband and I are incredibly proud of him,” Kelly Friscia said. “He’s such a hard worker. Just going about it, he was non-stop.”
James is the first person in his family to be accepted into West Point. However, there is a history of military service in the family that inspired him. One of his grandfathers served in the navy, the other was an army reservist, and a cousin is a retired marine. “When I look for inspiration, I look at my family,” he said. “Because of them, I’ve always wanted to serve.”
He whet his appetite for West Point when he took part in the Summer Leaders Experience — a program that introduces high school students to life at the academy — between his junior and senior years of high school.
If he graduates from West Point, James will be a second lieutenant in the Army.
“I’m going to be the first military officer in my family,” he said. “I’m very excited about that.”
