CADILLAC — Cadillac High School senior Colten Longstreet received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point on March 4, 2026. U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin personally delivered the news to Longstreet during a phone call.
The appointment is the result of a goal Longstreet has held since childhood. In addition to the notification from Slotkin, Longstreet received a recommendation and a congratulatory call from U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar. The selection followed a competitive application process that evaluated academic performance, leadership and physical fitness.
Longstreet maintained a 3.97 GPA while completing a schedule of Advanced Placement and college-level courses. He earned a 1290 on the SAT. His interest in the military began at age 6, though his specific focus shifted toward leadership during his freshman year of high school. Longstreet chose West Point for its emphasis on political and historical studies.
The selection process required Longstreet to demonstrate high levels of leadership and physical fitness. He served as a two-year captain of the wrestling team and a captain of the football team. Additionally, he acted as a representative on both the Student Council and Class Council. Longstreet is also a member of the National Honor Society and participates in his youth group at Cherry Grove Church of the Nazarene.
Physical conditioning was a major component of the application process, accounting for 10% of the evaluation. Longstreet completed the Cadet Fitness Assessment, which included a six-minute mile run. His community involvement also extends to volunteer work for local events such as Project Christmas.
Longstreet credited the local culture in Cadillac for helping him reach his goals. He noted that the support from the community influenced his personal development and work ethic.
“Everyone’s been so supportive of this goal and this dream of mine,” Longstreet said. “This whole community is built on grit, determination and hard work and that’s really reflected on me that when things get hard, you don’t give up.”
Jennifer Brown, superintendent of Cadillac Area Public Schools, praised Longstreet for his dedication to the district and the community. She noted his commitment to service and his performance as a student-athlete.
“Colten has worked incredibly hard and truly epitomizes what it means to be a Viking,” Brown said. “He exemplifies strong leadership, perseverance, integrity, and a deep commitment to serving others. We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and confident he will continue to lead and make a positive impact in all that he pursues.”
Following his graduation from West Point, Longstreet aims to enter Military Intelligence. His long-term career goals include working in counterterrorism or civil affairs. He plans to major in international relations during his time at the academy.