Warner Springs Graduate Enters Air Force Academy
By Amber Ward

Alexandra Swanson will enter the Air Force Academy in the fall. Photo by Jerry Bryan Photography

Alexandra Swanson, a 2007 graduate from Warner Springs High School, has gained acceptance into the United States Air Force Academy.

Alex was the first applicant from a small school in San Diego County to be appointed to the Academy. Only about 10 percent of applicants gain admittance.

Alex moved to Warner Springs in 2004 as a sophomore. During her time at Warner Springs High School, she was an active member of Future Farmers of America (FFA), where she received many awards including the 2007 FFA State Degree.

She is also a musician and an accomplished athlete, a triple lettermen in basketball, volleyball and softball. Alex has also worked at Camp Wynola and as a voting booth clerk in Julian. Since 2004, Alex has also worked at Sky Sailing Inc. in Warner Springs, where she completed her solo sailplane flight before leaving for the academy.

Alex graduated Warner Springs High School with a 4.2 GPA and as class valedictorian. She had applied to, and been accepted to several universities including, UCLA, UCSD, UC Davis, USD, Cal Poly and Cornell before electing to join the Air Force Academy. Alex will major in marine biology or civil engineering.

Alex was nominated by Darrell Issa, U.S. House of Representatives.

The youngest of the four service academies, the first class of 207 graduated in 1959, and women were not allowed entrance until 1976.

Alex left for the academy in early July, and will be spending the next four years learning what it takes to become an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Because Alex has completed her solo flight instruction at Warner Springs, she will receive an early opportunity to participate in parachuting activities.

Darlene and Richard Swanson are proud of their daughter's achievements, but they also want other students to know: "You can do it, too. Just because you attend a small school does not mean that you will get less attention. It's big achievements and not the small school that matters."