Wooster grad earns appointment to United States Naval Academy

The seed was planted at an early age, and with his recent appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, 2024 Wooster High School graduate Jack Pomfret will be able to pursue his dream of becoming a naval aviator.

Longtime family friend and aviation mentor Gayle Goreman-Green has high praise for the young man she has helped reach for the sky.

"I got Jack a ride in my friend's helicopter when he was a young child, and he was hooked," Goreman-Green said. "I mentor quite a few young people in aviation, and I would take him on rides and encourage him.

Pomfret used his own initiative and perseverance to achieve the appointment to the Naval Academy, Goreman-Green said, noting he is "driven, self-motivated, one of the greatest kids I've mentored. And, he's a darn good pilot, too."

Plan to be a naval flight officer

As of now, Pomfret hopes to become a naval aviator.

"Right now, Plan A would be to service select naval aviation or be a naval flight officer," Pomfret said. "I have always wanted to go that route. I have a friend who introduced me to aviation when I was around 10 years old, and since then, my life has been focused on aviation.

"I wanted to get my private pilot's license done, and I was able to check that off this April," he said. "I am super excited to be able to run with that dream to the Naval Academy, and hopefully select naval aviation by the time commissioning comes around."

Serving a greater purpose than myself

Pomfret said there are four major components to a service academy application, including the standard application form that includes letters of recommendation, along with being screened by the Department of Defense Medical Review Board, an interview with a local Blue & Gold officer who serves as a liaison to the service academy. The fourth component was completion of the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) to ensure the candidate is physically fit and qualified to attend a military service academy.

"Aside from looking at your academics, they look at how physically fit you are, as well as your leadership skills," he said. "They also try to dig a little deeper on your motives as to why you want to attend a service academy.

"I've always felt a need to serve a purpose greater than myself," Pomfret continued. "By attending a service academy, I knew that serving my nation was one of the greatest forms of service, and while there I would be surrounding myself with like-minded individuals who will push me to really succeed in anything and everything I do."

Encouragement from teacher at Wooster High

He received letters of recommendation from three teachers as well as community members, one being Goreman-Green.

Another was his AP Physics teacher, Lawrence Cerniglia at Wooster High School, who said Pomfret has all the qualities you would look for in a naval officer.

"Jack has all the characteristics you would want in a leader," Cerniglia said. "He is highly motivated, curious; he has goodness, integrity, honesty and principles. He will be tested at the naval academy, physically, emotionally and mentally, but he will use that to grow and get better.

"Jack has taken a lot of physics, and done very well," his teacher added. "He is very humble, and is very true to what he believes is right, yet not unwilling to change his position if he learns something that would cause him to change. He's a great kid who will use his successes and failures at the Naval Academy as a means to grow as a person and be an outstanding officer."

Well-rounded education, extracurriculars

While in high school, Pomfret was involved in student government and in marching band, extra curricular that helped mold who he is.

"Being part of a team and working together in the Wooster High School Marching Band, taking on a leadership role and figuring out where I fit in the bigger piece of the puzzle, was definitely a big activity where I was able to hone in some leadership skills," Pomfret said. "I was involved in the Kiwanis Key Club and National Honor Society, and also serving as class president helped me develop and understand why I want to lead. I also figured out that I am service oriented at heart."

He meshed his leadership roles along with his passion for aviation into a potential career, which has led him to the United States Naval Academy.

Heading off to Plebe Summer

He appreciates the rich tradition and history that goes along with the nation's service academies.

"I always wanted to have that exciting career, where I knew I would be doing something different from day to day," Pomfret said. "I also want to be around people that will hold me to a higher standard and push me."

Plebe Summer runs June 27-August. During this time he will learn about traditions and training and discover if he has what it takes to become an officer in the U.S. Navy.

Pomfret hopes to join a list of folks from the Wayne and Holmes counties' area who have graduated from the USNA since 2016, including Rebecca Chamberlin of Millersburg, Ciera McCrary and Kyle Kasmey of Orrville and Benjamin Nolt of Wooster. Christopher Cannon is listed as a non-graduate and Grant Glasgow also is enrolled.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wooster graduate John Pomfret reaches for new heights at Naval Academy