Pointer View on West Point YIP Draft Day

Pointer View (West Point)

On Saturday, May 2^nd cadet cadre from the West Point Youth Impact Program visited Hugo Newman College Preparatory School in Harlem, New York to conduct a ceremony notifying students of their selection to participate in West Point’s Youth Impact Program. The ceremony consisted of at-risk inner-New York City students signing “letters of intent” and receiving new Army West Point hats. The “letters of intent” required students to make a personal commitment to bring a great attitude daily, develop academically, and to compete like a champion on the field. Each student gladly accepted the challenge to participate in the Youth Impact Program. Other schools participating in the Youth Impact Program include The Frederick Douglass Academy, the Urban Assembly of Bronx Academy of Letters, and the Bronx Latin School.

The Youth Impact Program was founded in 2005 by former San Francisco 49er and NFL linebacker Riki Ellison. The program focuses on placing middle-school, inner-city youth in a structured educational environment focusing on academics, leadership and life skills, and football skills. This is the program’s inaugural year at the United States Military Academy and will take place from 15-26 June at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School.