Senior Pierce Hatheway Appointed to U.S. Air Force Academy
Each year, thousands apply to the U.S. Air Force Academy, but only a select few are chosen. We are excited to share that Senior Pierce Hatheway has been appointed to the Academy. Pierce’s appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy is equal to receiving a four-year, full scholarship at a top-tier university. His rigorous selection process included physical assessments, Congressional nomination, and interviews. At the Academy, appointed students undertake diverse programs like flying, parachuting, athletics, military training, and more while completing a comprehensive college curriculum. Upon graduation, they become second lieutenant officers in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force, serving in various career fields for at least five years. Congratulations to Pierce on this tremendous achievement and honor!
Every year, about 11,500 students apply to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but only 1,400 are invited. This year, only 1,200–1,300 out of more than 10,000 applicants will be invited, and Country Day Senior Pierce Hatheway is one of them, having recently received an official appointment to the United States Air Force Academy.
Pierce started his journey to the Academy at Country Day in Pre-K, making him a 14-year veteran of the School. During his Upper School years, he played on the football, basketball, and track and field teams. He was also an active member of the Lifting Club, Math Cub, and Chess Club, and started the Racing Club. Pierce is a member of both the Cum Laude Society and National Honor Society and was recently named a National Merit Finalist.
Pierce’s appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy is equal to receiving a four-year, full scholarship at a top-tier university. To be selected from among the best of the best, Pierce completed a physical fitness assessment and received a Congressional nomination, one of only 10 submitted by his congressional representative. This included interviewing with the congressional representative’s Service Academy Review Board.
The 1,400 appointed students will join the “long blue line,” becoming outstanding leaders in the world’s greatest Air and Space Forces. They will participate in a wide variety of programs, including flying aircraft (Pierce has over 20 hours of in-flight training since January 2023), freefall parachuting, competitive athletics, military training, and foreign exchange programs around the world. At the same time, they will take a full college class load.
After completing their four years at the Academy, graduates earn a Bachelor of Science and will be commissioned as second lieutenant officers in either the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Space Force. At that time, graduating cadets take their skills, knowledge, leadership, and professional expertise and serve in either Air Force or Space Force officer career fields for the next five years or longer if they choose.
Pierce is one of three students to apply for a United States Service Academy since 2006, with one enrolling in 2006. Congratulations to Pierce on this tremendous achievement and honor!
300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 837-5204
Established in 1929, Metairie Park Country Day School is a coed private school for New Orleans area students in early childhood through Grade 12. From the elementary grades through upper school, the care and cultivation of each child comes to life in our exciting academic program, creative arts, and competitive athletic offerings.
Country Day accepts qualified students without regard to race, color, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin.
