SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. – For only the second time ever, Social Circle High School had a student sign to join a military academy – and this time the student actually had two invitations from the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Ashley Clegg, commander of the SCHS JROTC battalion and a member of the school’s rifle team, was also invited to shoot for West Point’s rifle team. Clegg also received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy but chose to go with West Point.
On Feb. 6, 2019, with U.S. Congressman Jody Hice, her ROTC Commander, Col. Bruce Chick, family, friends and faculty in attendance, Clegg signed to attend West Point and to represent the academy as a member of the rifle team.
Her father spoke with pride of the commitment and determination that Clegg displayed in going after the appointment. He said as a father, and therefore protector of his family, it was going to be strange to drop her off at boot camp knowing that at the end of the day, that role would be reversed. But, he said, he had no doubt that she has what it takes.
“Ashley will be representing all of us here today,” he said. “If you have any concern that things may not work out, know this, Ashey is the right person for this appointment. She has grit, she has determination, and she will get the job done.”
When she spoke at the end of the presentation, Clegg said she hadn’t always wanted to join the military. That was something that had only become evident to her in recent months. But once she made the decision, she knew it was the right one for her.
“I feel in my heart a calling to serve and protect our great nation – to honor those who have served and are serving today and to follow in their footsteps,” Clegg said, going on to say that she would always be a Redskin at heart, and she would do her best to live by the West Point motto, “Duty, Honor and County.”
Clegg said she plans to study international relations and hopes to pursue a career in military intelligence.
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