Mary Claire Schleck '23 Receives Appointment from U.S. Military Academy; Awarded Four-Year ROTC Scholarship from U.S. Army

Major Antonio C. Nash of the United States Military Academy at West Point and Erica Jeffries Purdo, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, presented Mary Claire Schleck '23 with her Certificate of Appointment to West Point and her Army ROTC scholarship award on Friday, December 2. Surrounded by her parents, school administration, faculty and friends, Claire was recognized and celebrated in the Parlor of the Mount building. 

 

“I am so honored to have received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, as well as an ROTC Scholarship,” stated Claire. “I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to the entire Mount community, especially Sister Lisa, the administration, and all of my teachers for their support and kindness.”

 

Sister Lisa D. Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S., Directress, said, “Thank you for your willingness to serve your country, as we celebrate your appointment to West Point and your ROTC scholarship. I have no doubt you will serve with distinction and courage. No matter what you achieve in your life...you will always be our Mountie. Godspeed.”

 

“Claire is a tremendous leader, team member, student and community member. She is equally confident and humble, with a generosity and grace that is respected and admired on the soccer field, on the basketball court, in the classroom, and at her lunch table. Claire is a role model and has influenced many; it is an honor to celebrate her and her future,” shared Elizabeth Roper, Director of College Counseling, Soccer Coach.

 

Dr. Joseph Bonk, Department of English Chairperson, said, “Claire is mature, honest, composed, can take and give a joke, responds to constructive criticism in a calm and poised manner, and is always modest. The last trait is especially remarkable given her intellect. She is also a leader, as evidenced by her stepping up to co-teach the first National English Honor Society workshop the department hosted last recently.”

 

Dr. Dorothea Kominos, Science Department Chairperson, added, “In AP Biology, Claire learned how to analyze the complicated and disparate data that were presented in questions to derive inferences and evidence-based conclusions. She honed her study skills and time-management skills to balance this extremely challenging course with her other course load and commitments. She discussed complex scientific details with me, and we went much further into topics than the prescribed curriculum. For example, she was fascinated by the photosynthesis lab, and discussed specific proteins involved in this process.”

 

“Claire was one of the few juniors in AP Biology,” concluded Dr. Kominos. “Her two other junior student laboratory partners had transferred to Mount Saint Mary Academy in their junior year. Claire made them feel welcome and guided them throughout the course. They worked under her direction as a team, which was particularly impressive since this was her partners’ initial experience with hands-on science investigations.”

 

At Mount Saint Mary Academy, Mary Claire is a Vice President of the Student Council Executive Board, a Peer Faciliatory, a member of the National Honors Society, the Spanish Club, and captain of the soccer and basketball teams. Outside of the Mount, she is a Girl Scout.

 

In the future, Claire hopes to become an Army officer and do scientific research. She hopes to major in life science in college.

 

Claire is the daughter of Jamie and Pamela Schleck. Her sister, Grace, is a 2019 graduate of Mount Saint Mary Academy.