First Class Cadet Tyler McKinney is set to graduate in less than twenty days from the United States Military Academy at West Point on the 27th of May. McKinney graduated from Western Wayne in 2012, where she was accepted to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School and later attended the United States Military Academy. While at the Preparatory School, Tyler played volleyball and was recognized as one of the top performing female athletes, where she was awarded a General’s Award for Physical Excellence. Tyler also received the Humanitarian Service Medal for her volunteer help with the Task Force Hurricane Sandy Response in New York City. Tyler graduated with honors from the Preparatory School.
Before graduating from the Preparatory School Tyler was recruited as an outfielder to play Softball for Army. Tyler continued her athletic career at the Academy where she played Division I Softball in the Patriot League Conference all four years. During her time on the diamond, Tyler appeared in 176 games with 129 starts. Tyler was a defensive specialist and wreaked havoc on the baselines, where she had over 176 put outs, a 0.959 fielding percentage, and recorded thirty stolen bases and 44 runs. Tyler was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and earned Patriot League Play of the week. Tyler was also named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. Additionally, Tyler volunteered each summer as a camper counselor/aid for the Softball team’s Youth Camps.
During her time at the Academy Tyler was named to the Dean’s List 6 out of her 8 semesters, where she will graduate in the top 15% of her class, of which she has received the Superintendent’s Award of Achievement. Tyler currently ranks in the top ten percent in her class for both physical and military performance. Tyler will graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with a Civil Engineering concentration.
Militarily, Tyler has completed nearly 26 weeks of military field training during her summers at the Academy. Each summer Tyler underwent a variety of leadership trainings. During her junior year, Tyler served as a Squad Leader for the incoming New Cadets in Cadet Basic training, where she was recognized as one of the top performing squad leaders for her leadership skills. Tyler was a member of Golf Company, 2nd Regiment and served as the Company’s Executive Officer her senior year. Additionally, Tyler was given the opportunity to travel to Bangkok, Thailand for a three week leadership program, where she volunteered with Cross Cultural Solutions and taught English in two different elementary schools. Tyler has also volunteered within the local Hudson Valley Community at Food Pantries, soup kitchens, and Habitat for Humanity.
Tyler will graduate from West Point and commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Officer Corps. Tyler earned her first branch and post selection, where she will serve as a Quartermaster Officer and be stationed in Vilseck, Germany. Upon graduation Tyler volunteered to serve six weeks as a Junior Tactical officer for Cadet Summer Training at West Point. She will then attend the Basic Officer Leadership Course in Fort Lee, Virginia for Logistic Officers. Following her officer course, she will be stationed with the 2nd Calvary Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, where her unit’s primary mission will be deterring adversaries across the European Front, reassuring Allies, and enhancing the NATO alliance.
Tyler is the daughter of Roger McKinney Jr. and Lisa McKinney of South Canaan, Pa. Tyler would like to extend her gratitude to the Western Wayne Administration, faculty, coaches, family, friends, and members of the community for providing her the academic, athletic, and leadership tools in order to attend the United States Military Academy. “My time at the Military Academy was an incredible experience and I am beyond grateful for the continuous support I receive from the Wayne County community. I will cherish my time spent both at Western Wayne and the United States Military Academy, and will forever bleed Black and Gold.”
