Providence Catholic senior awarded full scholarship to West Point

Brigett Bordelon, 17, follows in footsteps of great uncle, WWII veteran

SAN ANTONIO – Long hours of studying, homework and track practice while maintaining a high GPA have paid off for a senior at San Antonio's Providence Catholic High School to the tune of a full scholarship.

The school welcomed officials from West Point Academy on Wednesday to award Brigett Bordelon, 17, more than $200,000 to attend the prestigious military academy.

Out of 15,000 students who applied, Bordelon is one of 1,200 who will be attending the school in the fall.

"My family has been very supportive, which has really helped a lot. They've helped me along the process and encouraged me, and the school has encouraged me as well," Bordelon said.

A member of the Providence track team, Bordelon was nominated for Scholar Athlete of the Year.

"I’m taking almost all pre-AP classes, very rigorous studies, and there really is no rest. I'm always trying to get on top of my studies, on top of everything else," she said.

Her family is undoubtedly proud of her, but they also credit her achievements to her hard work and her community of support during her educational career.

"It's a good recognition of also the people she has associated herself with. Her friends from growing up, her coaches, her teachers and elementary school, all the people involved in her upbringing," her father, Bill Bordelon, said.

The senior said she's always had her eye on the military. Her great uncle, Staff Sgt. William Bordelon, was a WWII hero.

"Here’s a picture of him when he was a senior at Central Catholic (High School)," Bridgett Bordelon said as she pointed to a display case at the school.

William Bordelon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The latest Bordelon to pursue life in the military, Bridgett wants to go into a field that focuses on improving the environment and major in either environmental science or environmental engineering.

She'll head to the east coast this summer.