SPOTLIGHT ON: LOCKE SWENT, CCES CLASS OF 2021

 

Living a life of honor has always been top of mind for Locke Swent, so his decision to attend the United States Naval Academy (USNA) does not come as a surprise.  While competition for entrance into service academies is fierce, Locke has all of the attributes the USNA seeks in a midshipman. 

 

Locke applied to the United States Military Academy, the University of Michigan, the University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, Purdue University Honors College, Clemson University, NC State, Duke, and Notre Dame, gaining acceptance to most of those schools.  He chose the Naval Academy for many reasons, but above all, he has always been prepared to serve our nation and believes this is his way of giving back.  Attending the USNA and eventually being part of the Navy or Marines will be Locke’s contribution to improving our world. “Defending freedom across the globe presents an opportunity to do good for others and create a better world for generations to come,” he says.  He plans to major in engineering and has a strong interest in nuclear engineering, even doing his senior thesis on the promise of nuclear energy.  “The Naval Academy happens to have one of the best nuclear engineering programs in the country,” he says, “along with unique access and opportunities to work on and with nuclear reactors in the military.”

 

The USNA wants to know that applicants have a strong academic foundation for their course load ahead, and Locke certainly meets that expectation.  Locke will graduate an AP Scholar with Distinction and has maintained High-Honor Roll all four years in the Upper School.  In fact, he will graduate with a total of twelve of our highest-level courses, including AP Calculus and IB Math Analysis HL.  While tripling on math by taking the IB course, AP Statistics, and Number Theory through Global Online Academy (GOA), he will still graduate with a number of our most difficult classes in the Humanities.

 

Locke also loves being a part of a bigger group.  Bartley Sides, Associate Director of College Counseling, calls Locke “measured, focused, and determined,” with his involvement in extracurriculars summarized in one word: “leadership.”  “He’s a natural leader and his peers follow him instinctively on the football field, soccer field, and even on Student Council,” Sides says.  Locke has played both football and soccer since 7th grade, serving as a captain of the varsity football team during his senior season and as captain of the 2021 varsity soccer State Championship team the past two seasons.  His accolades include; 2018-2019 All-Region Soccer Player, 2018-2019 Soccer Defensive MVP, 2020-2021 All-Region Football Player, 2020-2021 All-Region Soccer Player, 2020-2021 All-State Soccer Player, 2020-2021 Soccer North-South All-Star Player, and 2020-21 Boys State Nominee.  Further, he has served on student council since 10th grade, is co-founder and co-president of the fantasy football club, has served as an acolyte since 9th grade, and was also part of a school mission trip to Ecuador.  Outside of school, he interned at the investment firm VM Manning & Co. with a CCES Alumni the past two summers, worked at Southern Pressed Juicery last summer, and at Harris Teeter the prior two summers.

A 13-year veteran, Locke says CCES has played a tremendous role in shaping him into the person he is today. “Academically, there are so many amazing teachers who push us, help us around the clock, in and out of class, with anything we need.”  Locke sees them as more than just teachers and says he will maintain relationships with many of them long past his graduation.  “The teachers at Christ Church are very responsible for the place I am in today,” he says.  “The coaches at CCES have also been great mentors to me. Coaches Hatfield, Bobo, and Esquivel have played a large part in shaping grit, determination, and other important traits that I will use throughout my life.”

 

While it would be impossible to predict what four years at the United States Naval Academy would be like for anyone, we are quite certain that for Locke, above all else, it will be a challenge that suits his strengths and gives his life meaningful purpose.

 

What is your favorite class at CCES and why? AP Computer Science with Mr. Lipp.

What is your favorite philanthropic cause? Education

If you had $100,000 what would you do with it? If I had $100,000 I would take all of my friends on a trip for a week to the Bahamas!

What is one tip you would give to your younger sister to help her succeed? Listen to Mom & Dad!

Who is your sports idol? Pat McAfee