Ian Williams” father graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1980.
Ian”s grandfather graduated from West Point in 1946.
One might assume Ian is following in their footsteps.
His father, Dr. James Barton Williams, however, says he”s creating his own footsteps.
“I”m just proud that he”s doing what he”s doing and will be part of the long gray line,” James Williams said.
“My dad didn”t want me to go there just because he went there or (because) his dad (went there),” said Ian, a senior at Columbus High School.
Thinking about it now, Ian sees how his acceptance into West Point is continuing “a family legacy.” But growing up, the U.S. Army academy wasn”t a topic of discussion.
“My dad didn”t talk about it a lot,” Ian said. “It didn”t really come up until I was in my teen years and I was talking about college and asking my parents where they went to college.”
And this past summer, Ian went to a leadership program at West Point. The experience sealed the deal for him.
“After being in that program, that was the X-factor,” he said. “That”s what made me want to go.”
“I was taken aback by the place itself,” Ian said. “It was definitely an experience. It was breathtaking when you first walk through. I felt like I was in Hogwarts. It”s like a castle there. Just the view — everything about it is pretty beautiful there.”
Soon after, Ian began the lengthy process of applying for an appointment. In January he received his letter of acceptance.
Ian, whose mother is Pam Williams, plans to focus his studies on chemistry and engineering.
Graduates of the academy are commissioned as second lieutenant in the Army.
At Columbus High, Ian is an athlete — football, soccer and golf — and is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Spanish Honor Society. He also earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts, and is a member of the LTS community service social club.
In May, Ian will complete high school as part of the first graduating class of Columbus High”s International Baccalaureate diploma program.
This story contains reporting from Dispatch writer Sarah Wilson.
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