SA WEST POINT

The first Filipino woman to be admitted to the male-dominated United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point has revealed the secret of her success—putting God first above everything else.
Cadet Christy A. Achanzar, 22, passed the tough entrance test for Foreign Exchange Cadet nominees, which she took with four other cadets from the Philippine Military Academy early this year. The test was conducted by the US Defense Attache’s office.
Achanzar, the only female who qualified, could not believe she passed the rigid entrance examination.
“I just can’t believe I made it, entering a rather male-dominated profession,” she said.
There were 50 of them who took the test. Achanzar will have a Filipino classmate at West Point—Cadet Mario M. Feliciano, who also passed the same examination.
Two other PMA cadets qualified for the US Navy Academy in Annapolis and another at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado.
As a young girl, Isis as Achanzar is fondly called, was fascinated by military officers and men for their snappy salute. Her wish was to become an officer someday.
Her father, Ermine, is a native of this city in Cagayan while her mother, Asuncion, comes from Davao.
When she was in her teens, her wish was to enter the PMA, the country’s premier military school. She was in her second year college taking up Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering (BSECE) when she thought of entering the academy, but her friends advised her to finish her course first.
As soon as she obtained her BSECE degree last March, she decided to take the PMA entrance examination without the knowledge of her parents.
Bright and witty, Achanzar passed the entrance test.
“God gave me more than enough sign that He blessed my ambition in life. I barely finished my plebe year at the academy, and here I am qualified to enter West Point,” she said.
“My training at the PMA prepared me. The deputy head of the US Army Defense Attache’s office commented that I am a strong cadet,” she added.
Isis who is the fourth in a brood of six—four girls and two boys—said she would feel the fullness of her satisfaction when “people could say I have been a good officer and have contributed something for my country.”
She admitted that her being the first Filipino woman to enter the USMA gives great resolve to excel in her career. She encourages the young women of Tuguegarao City and Davao to strive harder.
“Have the proper attitude and values, faith and confidence that you can do something beyond your limitations. You just have to try and trust yourself and keep your feet on the ground. Whatever you achieve, be humble because there could be more opportunities that may come,” she said.
The prayer of Francis of Assisi has always been her inspiration: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
Manila Times