TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR JONATHAN AIDEN MALLON, A SENIOR AT THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY, AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Jonathan Aiden Mallon has received a coveted appointment to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point; and
Whereas, West Point is the oldest and one of the most prestigious service academies in the United States, known for providing an outstanding education and instilling core values; and
Whereas, the academy has graduated many high-ranked military and government leaders. An application for an appointment involves multiple tests, essays, and interviews and candidates are evaluated in academic, physical, and leadership requirements; and
Whereas, applicants also must have the sponsorship of a member of the United States Congress, which Mr. Mallon received from United States Representative Tom Rice and United States Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham; and
Whereas, although West Point annually receives some fifteen thousand applications nationwide, only about one thousand five hundred are accepted to the academy; and
Whereas, while a student at the Scholars Academy, Mr. Mallon developed a daily training program with his father, who is retired with the grade of E-9 from the United States Army; and
Whereas, along with his training program, he has played varsity tennis at Carolina Forest High School since the seventh grade, receiving five varsity letters and serving as the team's co-captain his senior year; and
Whereas, as early as the ninth grade, Mr. Mallon began taking advanced placement (AP) classes, nine in all, which apply for college credit, and he has taken fifteen courses for dual high school and college credit through Coastal Carolina University; and
Whereas, in 2021, he was named a National Merit semi-finalist based on his PSAT (Pre-Stanford Achievement Test) score and a National Merit finalist in 2022 based on his SAT (Stanford Achievement Test) score. A student in the Scholars Academy in Conway with his base school at Carolina Forest High School, he is ranked in the top 2% of his class and has received numerous academic accolades; and
Whereas, Mr. Mallon is an active and dedicated volunteer in the community, as an organizer of youth events for Waterway Palms Plantation where he is a member of the Beautification and Grounds Committee. He attended Palmetto Boys State and the Summer Leaders Experience at West Point in the summer of 2021; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that Jonathan Mallon has brought to his community and to the Palmetto State, and the members look to hear of his continued achievements as he begins his anticipated career at West Point. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Jonathan Aiden Mallon, a senior at the Scholars Academy, and congratulate him upon his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jonathan Aiden Mallon.