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Lee's Summit Community Christian School Senior Receives Appointment to West Point
April 3, 2010
Steve Santon follows family tradition of Service to Country
By Mary Pechar / Tribune Feature Writer
Steve Santon
Tribune Photo/Fred Poese
Steve Santon loves history and Steve loves his family. His grandfathers were an intricate part of his life and wove family and history together for him. In his words, “Although both have recently passed away I took a lot away from their advice and experience from life. My competitive drive, perseverance, love for learning, love for God and love for the United States of America. My grandfathers were patriots for the United States having both served in WWII and both earning purple hearts. In retrospect my passion to defend the freedom we have in America stems from them.”
Sergeant James Davenport, Steve’s maternal grandfather, was a Marine in WWII, 5th Marine Division serving in Iwo Jima, Guam, and California. He was sent back to Korea where he received a purple heart as a result of shrapnel from a grenade explosion.
1st Lt Harold Santon was in General Patton’s 3rd Army 26th infantry, medical battalion. After Normandy he participated in the march across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. He received 2 purple hearts during his time in Europe.
Steve also has 3 uncles and 3 first cousins who have served or who are currently serving in the military.
Last year, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II submitted nominations on his behalf to the United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy and United States Military Academy under the Competitive Method for Selection. This method stipulates that ten candidates may be nominated for each vacancy allotted to a Congressional District.
This February, Steve received a letter congratulating him on behalf of the President and the Secretary of the Army on his acceptance into the United States Military Academy at West Point Class of 2014.
In 2009, Steve received an American Legion sponsorship to Missouri Boys State. This experience strengthened his interest in serving his country both in the Military and in the future politically.
Steve is an extremely focused young man. His current class load includes four college level courses and he maintains a full schedule of extracurricular activities such as choir and athletics. Besides being very involved with his church, he has worked at Price Chopper for the past 16 months.
Parents Eric and Susan are “honored and blessed to be able to raise him as a son. We are very proud of him, his passion for God and Country.”
Steve is the first LSCCS senior to receive a West Point appointment. “I think he’ll be successful because of the way he lives his life”, Principal Emir Esparza said. “He’s very strategically-minded. He knows what he wants and sets the appropriate goals for that. What’s really key with Steve is his follow through on everything he sets out to do.”
On May 7th, Congressman Cleaver will be at LSCCS to officially recognize Steve and discuss the workings of government with the student body.
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