Greater Lowell Tech Honors Student Accepted into West Point Preparatory School and Hosts a Presentation by a Member of the Admissions Team

TYNGSBOROUGH — Greater Lowell Technical High School has honored its first student accepted into the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point during a presentation by a member of the Academy’s Admission Team.

During a ceremony held in the school auditorium on March 12, West Point Diversity Outreach Officer Captain Wilfred Ahoua honored senior student and soon-to-be cadet, Joyce Philippe, and briefed students on how to apply for the Academy.

Attending the ceremony were students, teachers, and family members of Philippe, as well as persons who helped the student with her application, including Carissa Mrouse, School Counselor, and Jorge Morales-Lopez, Constituent Services Advisor to U. S. Congresswoman Lori Trahan. 

Assistant Superintendent/Principal Michael Barton congratulated Philippe on her admission, and thanked Captain Ahoua for his remarks, saying that, “A career as an officer in the United States Military is one of the most well-respected roles in the country. I couldn’t be happier that one of our own has been accepted into the Preparatory School at West Point.”

Superintendent Jill Davis said that, “We are so proud of Joyce and we appreciate Captain Ahoua for taking the time to encourage even more of our students to consider a career in the U. S. Military. The Greater Lowell area is one of the most diverse in our state and has an important role to play in ensuring that the diversity of our military reflects that of the country.”

Originally from Haiti, Philippe relocated with her family to the U. S. in 2016, and enrolled in Greater Lowell Tech in 2020. She studies Health Assisting/Pre-Nursing; works as a Patient Care Technician at Lowell General Hospital; and, intends to study psychology and become a psychiatrist in the near future.

Active in sports, Philippe represents the Greater Lowell Gryphons for Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field, where she holds the titles of Captain and Most Valuable Player respectively. One of her goals at the Preparatory School is to compete for its track team.

Captain Ahoua’s message during the presentation was that success is when opportunity meets preparation, saying that, “Everyone undergoes some form of preparation throughout their life. Whether that’s through your parents, teachers, athletic coaches or even Tik Tok and social media. But, it’s what you do when opportunity knocks that sets you apart. Joyce Philippe is the embodiment of someone who successfully prepared and seized the opportunity, and is exactly what West Point needs in a future leader of character.”

School Counselor Mrouse also honored Philippe, saying that, “Joyce’s dedication and initiative to meet her goals is rare to see, especially given all of the obstacles of language, culture, and distance that she has overcome. She’s a champion athlete and student, and has made Greater Lowell and her community proud.”

Congresswoman Lori Trahan said that, “Nominating candidates for our nation’s prestigious service academies is one of my greatest honors, and Joyce’s hard work, dedication, and relentlessness are what I look for in a young person hoping to serve our country. Joyce is a remarkable young woman who represents the very best that our community and our Commonwealth have to offer. Like so many in Lowell, she and her family embody the American Dream, folks who know the better future they want for themselves and their loved ones and work tirelessly to achieve it.”