<p>USMA</a> Prep School to move to West Point</p>
<p>WEST POINT – The long planned move of the West Point Prep School from Fort Monmouth, NJ to the US Military Academy campus has been given the green light with the awarding of a construction contract of $154.8 million.</p>
<p>The prep school has proven to be one success story after another. West Point officials touted the program with a slew of them and encouraging statistics.</p>
<p>Case 1: Cadet Jevon Thomas, USMA Class of 2010, USMAPS Class of 2006. Cadet Thomas’ father was murdered when he was a child, and his stepfather was in and out of jail throughout much of his childhood years, according to Col. Daniel Bruno. He didn’t receive much attention, or optimism, from his family, but will be graduating with high honors next year, thanks to the guidance of his USMAPS professors and superiors.</p>
<p>Case 2: Cadet Giovanna Camacho, USMA Class of 2013, USMAPS Class of 2009. Cadet Camacho received no support from her parents growing up, and had virtually no chance of getting into college, Bruno said. He told board members that her mother, whom she had a restraining order against, physically abused her the day the order ran out, and that she continues to call USMA requesting to talk to Cadet Camacho. </p>
<p>A few others topped the list of success stories: a basketball player who was promoted to battalion chief while in USMAPS, and a war veteran, still in his 20s, who joined USMAPS because he wanted to take his career further than a basic Army enlistment.</p>
<p>West Point Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Michael Linnington said Prep School students develop great track records.</p>
<p>“From a military and physical perspective, the confidence they bring to the table helps them succeed,” he said. “It’s no surprise that this year’s first captain was a prepster; it’s no surprise that every class president is prepster. They come in with a support group as well when these 200 cadet candidates become cadets; they have a natural support structure that helps them succeed.”</p>
<p>The same contractor that built Jefferson Hall and renovated Arvin Gym, J. Kokolakis, was awarded last month a $154.8 million bid to relocate USMAPS to West Point, and construct new facilities, including barracks, dining halls, athletic facilities, and tactical and department offices.</p>
<p>The move, part of a federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) mandate, is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.</p>