Wyatt Speers headed to U. S. Military Academy at West Point

Wyatt Speers, a standout student and athlete from Cottondale, has officially received his certificate of appointment to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. Speers will report to West Point on June 30th for Reception Day, commonly known as “R Day,” which marks the beginning of his journey as a cadet.

This milestone follows a change of heart for Speers, who initially set his sights on the Air Force Academy with dreams of flying jets. However, a pivotal conversation with General David Morris on September 23rd led him to reconsider his path. “General Morris has been instrumental in this decision,” said Wyatt. “His passion for West Point and the way he guided me through the process helped me see a different side of military leadership and opportunity.”

General Morris’s mentorship didn’t just influence Speers’ decision, it also inspired a deeper appreciation for the values and structure of West Point. “He’s really working hard to get more young people interested in the academy,” Speers added. “He made it clear that West Point isn’t just about the Army, it’s about building leaders.”

He will begin his cadet career with six weeks of rigorous boot camp, which differs from traditional military basic training. “West Point’s version is officer training,” he explained. “It’s demanding, both physically and mentally. You say goodbye to your family, get a buzz cut, and you’re in.”  College classes begin in August after the completion of boot camp.

Although undecided on a major, he is considering a field related to aviation, possibly physics. “They’ll help me narrow it down once I get there,” he said. His academic foundation is strong, graduating from Chipola College earlier this month.

A well-rounded student, Speers was heavily involved at Cottondale High School. He played both baseball and football, as well as participating in clubs such as Beta and Student Government Association (SGA), where he served as chaplain. His academic record is equally impressive, maintaining a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 4.6 weighted GPA.

Wyatt’s success is backed by a strong family support system. He is the son of Liza and Rodney Speers and has two younger sisters, Anna Claire and Olivia, both active in softball. Anna Claire is in eighth grade and Olivia is in seventh.

As he prepares to leave for West Point, he knows his first few months will be challenging. After R Day and boot camp, cadets have very limited contact with their families until Thanksgiving break. “Once boot camp is over, I’ll be able to use my phone in my free time, but it’ll still be pretty limited,” he said.

Despite the challenges ahead, Speers says he’s ready. “This is where I’m meant to be,” he said. “I’m grateful for everyone who helped me get here, especially General Morris. I know West Point will shape me into the leader I want to become.”

General David Morris played a pivotal role in Speers’ decision. General David Morris, a 1971 graduate of Cottondale High School, played a pivotal role in helping Wyatt Speers, a current CHS student, secure an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. As a volunteer for the West Point Field Force, Morris specifically chose to serve Florida’s 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts because he lives in one and grew up in the other.

Upon reviewing applications, Morris “immediately zeroed in on this kid named Wyatt Speers from Cottondale High School, my high school alma mater.” He was impressed by Wyatt’s early credentials and arranged a meeting at CHS with Wyatt, his mother, and his guidance counselor, where he shared insights “from the perspective of a graduate from a small, rural high school with few resources.”

Following a one-on-one interview, Morris felt strongly, “I knew without a doubt he had the necessary character and abilities to succeed at West Point and as an Army officer.” He guided Wyatt through the application process, including the Candidate Fitness Test, interview prep, and nominations. Wyatt ultimately secured nominations to both West Point and the Air Force Academy.

Out of roughly 14,000 national applicants, only about 1,245 were selected for West Point’s Class of 2029 — “a selection rate of about 8.5 percent.” Morris expressed pride in Wyatt’s accomplishment, saying, “Wyatt Speers has the ‘right stuff’ to excel there, and I am proud of him, and the fact that a fellow Cottondale High School graduate and Hornet will join the ‘Long Gray Line.’”

Wyatt Speers is presented with his certificate of appointment to West Point by Major General David Morris Friday