By Chuck Seaver
Cayden Cork, a recent nomination recipient for appointment to the prestigious West Point Military Academy in New York, and a 2023 Lake Minneola High School (LMHS) graduate, is no ordinary graduate. At 18, Cayden has his vision set on following deep genealogical roots of service to our community and country. His father is a Lieutenant Firefighter with the Lake County Fire Department and his mother serves as an APRN in women’s healthcare. Great-grandfathers that served in WWII and an uncle that served during Operation Freedom Iraq, were all inspirations for Cayden to continue his quest for serving others by serving our country in the United States military.
The dream of attending West Point after graduating high school was Cayden’s self-motivation to study history and political science. Attendance to the academy requires at least one nomination made by a United States Senator or Congressman. Congressman Scott Franklin stepped to the plate with a nomination for Cayden and was joined with recommendations made by Retired Brigadier General Tim Sullivan, Senator Marco Rubio, (former) Representative Anthony Sabatini, and Lake County Board of Republicans representative Bill Siegenthaler.
Cayden recalls the moment after a grueling wait to hear from the academy’s admission committee, that word finally arrived. He was attending his second-period chemistry class recently when he was summoned to the school office to meet with Lake Minneola High Principal Linda “Mama Hawk” Shepard-Miller. Miller was on hand, along with Cork family members to inform Cayden that his nomination had been accepted to West Point and his new journey would begin on June 26th. An appointment that requires academic achievement, academic aptitude, leadership experience, physical fitness, and other unique attributes.
While at West Point, Cayden will be required to participate in at least one sport during the duration of his four-year enrollment at the academy. The academy’s sports programs are governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Division 1. Although a sport has not yet been decided upon, Cayden enjoys watching college football with his dad, Carter. Cayden will be required to serve a minimum of eight years in any branch of the United States military that he chooses. The decision of joining the Army appears likely according to Cayden after earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Life Sciences and Defense with Strategic Studies from West Point.
“I’ve always had higher ambitions other than usual high school life”, according to Cayden, who describes himself as stoic and serious. He credits much of his drive and desire to achieve “above the ordinary” to his family and several teachers who pushed him to his full potential. Cayden spoke fondly of LMHS Principal “Mama Hawk”, and teachers Shannon Rappa, Emily Nelson, and Kim Marchand. “One of my best high school experiences was participating in the Student Government Association (SGA) program at LMHS”. A program that is led by Ms. Marchand.
Cayden had a closing quote that he cited as one of his favorite historical quotes made by Former President Richard Nixon; “Always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself.”
The Cork family has deep and respected roots in the South Lake County community, roots that Cayden will surely nurture and carry on for generations to come.
