Army National Guard PFC Michael Valenza, a Queensbury resident, enters United States Military Academy

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United States Militry Academy Cadet Michael Valenza. (Courtesy Valenza family)

LATHAM, NY (07/03/2014)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Private First Class Mitchell Valenza, a Queensbury resident and son of Glens Falls Police Chief William Valenza, is now Cadet Valenza at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Valenza, a 2014 graduate from Saratoga Central Catholic High School, enlisted in the Army National Guard at age 17 and completed basic training in August 2013.

He reported into the Military Academy on July 1.

Valenza entered the Military Academy though a program that sets aside 85 slots in each class for Army Reserve or Army National Guard Soldiers who meet the academy's demanding standards, said Major Michael Bedryk, the Army National Guard liaison at West Point.

National Guard Soldiers who enter West Point through this program have to pass the academy's physical fitness test, have great grades and SAT and ACT scores, and be nominated by their service, Bedryk said. That means they have to be a good Soldier with demonstrated leadership potential.

Valenza comes from a military family. His father is also Army National Guard Staff Sergeant William Valenza in the 106th Regional Training Institute and his mother is Captain Julie Valenza in the Army National Guard's Medical Command. His sister Camille recently enlisted in the Army National Guard as well.

Valenza is a member of National Honor Society, and earned varsity letters in Soccer, Baseball, Track and Football. He recently earned his Eagle Scout award. His project involved refurbishing an old school bus for the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard.

Valenza has also interned in the offices of Representative Chris Gibson and Bill Owens.

Valenza was also offered an Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship at Siena College but opted to earn his Army commission through the Military Academy instead.

He is one of 25 Army National Guard Soldiers who are entering West Point with the class of 2018.