Sadie Mecham, Centralia High School’s class of 2025 salutatorian, has been accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School.
Sadie was formally recognized on May 30 during the Centralia High School’s annual senior awards ceremony. In attendance was Major Sean Peters, an Air Force Academy liaison officer, who announced that Sadie had received a full-ride scholarship to attend the Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado Springs before presenting her with her official certificate of acceptance.
In addition to the certificate of acceptance, Sadie was honored as a top 10 student in her graduating class, was among the top 10% of all graduating seniors in Washington state, and received departmental awards in math and social studies.
“Sadie is an amazing student and athlete,” Sadie’s mother, Wendy Mecham, said. “She is the Centralia High School class of 2025 salutatorian and is graduating from Centralia College with an associate of arts degree as well.”
Sadie hopes to study engineering at the academy. She will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation. From there, she will serve on active duty for five years.
Sadie’s family has a history of military service, including her father, who is retired from the Army, and several uncles. Despite this, Sadie never really considered a military school until her junior year.
“Although my dad was in the military, I never really considered the Air Force Academy until my junior year, when I began researching my college options,” Sadie said. “I realized what an amazing opportunity the military academies offer to obtain a degree as well as serve my country. As a competitive gymnast, I really wanted to attend a school with a women’s gymnastics team. So, when I found out that Air Force Academy was the only military academy with a women’s gymnastics team, I decided to apply.”
Application to the academy was a year-long process that started the summer after Sadie’s junior year. It included submitting transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, a resume, a physical fitness test, a medical exam and obtaining a congressional nomination.
Sadie began seeking nominations from the Washington senators and Third Congressional District U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, last fall. Each senator or representative is only allowed to nominate 15 students each year.
“Sadie wrote a lot of essays and even went to Vancouver for an in-person interview with a panel of judges at Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s office,” Wendy said. “In January, we learned that she had received not just one, but three nominations, including nominations from Patty Murray, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and a military-affiliated nomination due to her dad’s military service.”
Sadie and her family were excited when she received her nominations, but realized the chances of getting admitted were still very small. According to her mother, usually only one of the 15 students who are nominated get offered an appointment at the academy. Once all the requirements for her application were finally completed, the waiting process began.
Sadie didn’t expect to be accepted into the academy, as she heard it was “as competitive as some Ivy League schools,” and made plans to attend another college she was admitted to. However, Sadie realized those plans had to be changed as she received a phone call on the way home from USA Gymnastics Nationals.
“I was in the airport coming back from competing at USA Gymnastics Nationals, when I received the phone call letting me know that I was offered an appointment at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School,” Sadie said. “I had less than one week to change my plans and let them know if I wanted to accept the appointment.”
Sadie’s mother was with her when she got the call.
“I was with Sadie in the airport when she received the phone call notifying her that she had been accepted, and I felt an initial rush of excitement when I heard the news,” Wendy said. “I was beyond proud of her. But as a typical mom, I immediately began worrying about all the details and researching what to expect when she got there.”
“The journey hasn’t been easy,” Wendy said. “This appointment reflects years of hard work and dedication, in school and athletics, including many late nights of studying after gymnastics practices. Her sacrifices, perseverance and faith have shaped her into an exceptional student, athlete, and disciple of Christ. I know the habits and values she’s developed will carry her far and help her be successful at the academy and in the future.”
Sadie will graduate with the rest of her class at the Centralia High School graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium.
