A high school honors student enrolled in Junior ROTC since seventh grade, Carlton Blake had two goals: go to college and join the military. After deciding on the U.S. Army and with the help of his ROTC instructor, Blake was accepted at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2011, having garnered not one but two nominations. When he received his degree in engineering management last month with a class of 995 cadets, 2nd Lt. Carlton Blake became the first African-American from Burlington City High School to graduate from West Point.
"I didn't even know West Point existed until Sgt. (Larry) English, my ROTC instructor, took us there in the ninth grade. My graduating shows a student from (a poorer) district can make it," said the 22-year-old trailblazer, who has a strong allegiance to both his hometown on the Delaware River and to his high school. "My mission is not all about self. You need to take time to help others," said Blake, who started that mission tutoring other students at the academy and continued giving to back during his current 60-day leave.
Blake could not wait to return home immediately after graduation to march in the next day's Burlington City Memorial Day parade with the high school ROTC classes. He spent an entire day at his alma mater, encouraging ROTC students and the following week he volunteered to accompany students to an ROTC camp. "I am not here to talk at you but with you and to help you wherever you want to go," he said he told the ROTC classes. After speaking with those classes, 10 students took him up on his offer of help in applying to West Point or for ROTC at colleges like Rutgers University. Read More