News Story

For ILTexas Keller-Saginaw senior Bergen Smith, senior year was anything but typical. Her days started before dawn, balancing a demanding mix of leadership roles, varsity sports, and flight training, all while navigating one of the toughest college admissions processes in the country: the United States Air Force Academy.

In December, long before most students heard back from their schools, Bergen got the call to offer her an official appointment at USAFA.

It was the moment when all the late nights, sacrifices, and hard work finally paid off.

Flight Found Her and So Did Purpose

Unlike many future pilots, Bergen didn’t grow up obsessed with planes. Her love for flight began at just 10 years old, while traveling across the country for volleyball tournaments. The excitement of takeoff, the buzz of the airport, and the peace of cruising above the clouds sparked something inside her.

Eventually, she realized being a passenger wasn’t enough.

Her curiosity turned into action. Bergen earned her Private Pilot’s License while still in high school and quickly began working toward her instrument rating. But she didn’t stop there; she started dreaming bigger. She began planning a future where she could serve by attending the United States Air Force Academy.

The Foundation of Leadership

JROTC played a huge role in shaping Bergen into the leader she is today.

When she first joined ILTexas’s JROTC program as a freshman, she was new to the district, with no prior experience in the program and no connections. But what started as something unfamiliar quickly became a second home, a place where she felt supported and pushed to grow. JROTC provided the structure she needed to thrive, helping her build the leadership qualities she’d always had but never fully developed.

As the Battalion Executive Officer (XO), Bergen didn’t just wear a rank, she earned it. She mentored cadets, set high standards, and held herself accountable to them. These experiences shaped her into a leader, mentor, and source of inspiration for others.

She also commanded both the primary Color Guard and Armed Regulation teams, leading them to multiple top-three finishes, including a 3rd place at Regionals, and proudly representing ILTexas at events across Texas.

“JROTC taught me how to lead with confidence, but also how to lead with care,” she said. “It pushed me in ways I didn’t think I could handle, mentally, physically, emotionally. It taught me that discipline is a choice you make every day, especially when no one’s watching.”

A First Semester Few Ever See

Applying to USAFA was like adding a full-time job on top of being a full-time student, athlete, cadet, and pilot. While most students were focused on a few essays and their transcripts, Bergen was tackling nominations from elected officials, preparing for interviews, attending nomination boards, and writing essay after essay.

“It was the hardest semester of my life,” she said. “I was writing constantly, training for the Candidate Fitness Assessment, flying, going to volleyball practice, and keeping up with school. There were times I was sick, injured, or just exhausted, but I kept showing up. Because deep down, I knew what I was fighting for.”

Despite everything, she maintained a 4.0 GPA, led multiple organizations, and volunteered over 496 hours, all while giving it her all for the application process.

“People see the appointment and think, ‘Wow, that’s cool.’ But they don’t see the blood, sweat, and tears that went into it. And that’s okay, because I do. And I’ll carry that with me forever.”

The Moment It All Became Real

When the phone rang in December, Bergen wasn’t expecting anything. She hadn’t even heard back about her nomination. But there was an offer of appointment to USAFA.

“It hit me like a wave,” she recalled. “I couldn’t believe it. I told my parents and called my mentors, coaches, and friends as soon as I could. That night, I just sat with my family and let it sink in. Every ounce of effort, every setback, every breakthrough, it all led to this moment.”

For Bergen, receiving the appointment wasn’t just a personal achievement; it was an incredible honor. “I understand how much of a privilege it is to receive an appointment to the Air Force Academy,” she said. “My family and I view those who answer the call to serve our country with the utmost respect. To now be a part of that legacy is incredibly humbling.”

She credits her parents for being her rock, offering constant support even when things seemed impossible.

“My parents have been my foundation. They’ve sacrificed so much for me, supported every crazy dream, and reminded me who I am when I doubted myself. This appointment is as much theirs as it is mine.”

A Year of Leadership in Action

Outside the classroom and cockpit, Bergen made her mark across ILTexas in countless ways. She was part of the group of students who had the honor of welcoming former astronaut Capt. Christopher Cassidy, during his visit to ILTexas Keller Saginaw High School as part of the Leadership Speaker Series, an event that left a lasting impression on students and staff alike.

Bergen also took part in a meaningful moment of school pride when Brandon Hall, a member of the Texas State Board of Education, visited the campus, and again when she helped welcome Jennifer Dailey-Perkins from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) for a special site visit. During her time at ILTexas, Dailey-Perkins toured multiple campuses, observed the Chinese Advanced Language (CAL) project in action, and met with students and staff.

Thanks to DoDEA’s support, ILTexas is expanding language learning for all students, a mission Bergen was proud to be a part of.

Onward to Colorado Springs and Beyond

Now, Bergen is looking ahead, ready for the next chapter, heading toward the U.S. Air Force Academy. She plans to grow into a pilot and leader who embodies the grit, integrity, and compassion she’s learned along the way.

“I want to be the kind of officer who makes people better, who challenges them, but also leads with compassion,” she said. “I’m not just going to survive at the Academy. I’m going to thrive. Everything I’ve done up to this point has prepared me for that.”

From a volleyball-playing little girl captivated by takeoff to a determined cadet ready to lead from the flight deck, Bergen Smith is proving that the sky isn’t the limit, it’s just the beginning.

As a young woman stepping into a field where few look like her, Bergen hopes her story inspires others to pursue their passions, no matter how daunting the path may seem.