Two rising seniors from Sandpoint High School earned spots in one of the nation’s most competitive military leadership programs this summer, joining a select group of Idaho students for a rigorous five-day experience at the United States Military Academy.
Teagan Newsom and Elizabeth Storms, both 17, were accepted into West Point’s Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) — a program that draws roughly 1,500 students from across the country each summer. Only six Idaho students received invitations for the 2026 program, making the pair’s selection a notable achievement for Sandpoint and Bonner County.
Five Days of Drills, Challenges, and Early Mornings
The two students traveled to West Point last month and spent five days immersed in the Academy’s culture and demands. The schedule pushed participants hard from the start, with wake-up times as early as 4 a.m. and physical training conducted in intense summer heat.
Both Newsom and Storms credited their athletic backgrounds as key preparation for the program. Storms competes on the SHS track and cross-country teams, while Newsom is a member of the school’s wrestling team — disciplines that build the endurance and mental toughness the SLE program tests.
One of the program’s standout moments for Newsom involved confronting a personal fear. Despite a fear of heights, she rappelled down an 80-foot wall — a moment that illustrated the type of challenge the SLE is designed to produce. “You’re all in it together and most of the people are there for the same reason as you, so they thrive in that environment also,” Newsom said of the experience.
The program is designed to give high-achieving high school students a realistic look at life as a West Point cadet, helping them decide whether to pursue a full application to the Academy. It draws students from all 50 states who demonstrate academic excellence, athletic involvement, and leadership potential.
Career Goals Driving the Decision
Both students have clear professional ambitions tied to their interest in military service. Storms has her sights set on becoming a general surgeon, and she is exploring medical school pathways available through West Point. She is also applying to other colleges as she weighs her options. Her motivation reflects a deep sense of purpose. “If I am able to help them and their families, that’s the best thing I could do with my life,” Storms said of caring for wounded service members and patients.
Newsom is considering careers in anesthesiology or as an Army nurse. Beyond West Point, she is also applying to the United States Air Force Academy, signaling a broad interest in military service across branches. Her willingness to face the rappelling wall — despite real anxiety about heights — underscores the kind of determination both students demonstrated throughout the program.
The SLE acceptance is not an admission offer to West Point, but it gives students a meaningful advantage in the application process and a clearer picture of whether the Academy’s demands align with their goals. The combination of military bearing, academic rigor, and physical fitness requirements at West Point makes early exposure through programs like SLE especially valuable.
Sandpoint High School has produced standout students in recent years who have pursued competitive national programs. Boundary County students were recently named Idaho delegates to a National AI Policy Fellowship in Boston, reflecting a broader trend of North Idaho students earning recognition at the national level. Earlier this spring, Ridgeline High School claimed victory at the KSPS Civics Bowl on a final tiebreaking question, further highlighting the academic strength of the region’s schools.
What Comes Next
Newsom and Storms will begin their senior year at Sandpoint High School this fall, with college application deadlines approaching in the months ahead. Both are expected to submit formal applications to military academies and civilian universities as they chart their paths toward careers in medicine and military service. Their selection to the West Point Summer Leaders Experience positions both students competitively as application season gets underway.