Answering a call he first heard in Lacy Park a decade ago, Kurtis Tsai — a member of San Marino High School’s graduating class of 2020 — has accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. There he will join “The Long Gray Line,” the phrase affectionately assigned to the continuum of cadets to acknowledge their gray uniforms.
Tsai was recently in Lacy Park to record his comments for San Marino’s virtual commemoration of Memorial Day, and he recalled his many visits there for summer camp and play time.
“Whenever I would pass the then-newly built War Memorial, I thought of the extraordinary courage and fortitude that the men and women whose names are displayed on this memorial possessed to lay their lives on the line for our country,” Tsai said. “I thought of the people that they influenced and the lives that they had changed for the better. I also think of the monument in Lacy Park to General [George] Patton and about his experience at West Point. Both of those images clicked with me and I started to think about what West Point has to offer.”
At SMHS, Tsai was a member of the Titan swim team for four years, wrote for Titan Shield school newspaper and served as president of the Habitat for Humanity Club. He is the son of MeyShyan Kuo and Jimmy Tsai and has a younger brother, Russell, who is a freshman at SMHS.
While understandably disappointed at the sudden demise of his senior year, Tsai seems to possess a trait that will serve him well at West Point: perspective.
“As a senior, this closure weighs heavy on our hearts,” he said. “Since elementary school, us seniors have circled 2020 on our imaginary calendars and waited for our prom, graduation and Grad Night, events that seem to define our teenage years. But to have such important moments taken from us is an indicator of how dangerous this pandemic is and how health is always the first priority.”
Tsai also applied to a couple of private schools and others from the University of California system, but once he was notified of his acceptance to West Point, the hunt was over.
“I want to go to West Point because of the vast amount of opportunities it offers,” Tsai said. “First of all, it gives me a chance to be a better version of myself and help give back to my country and my community. Second, West Point graduates are incredibly accomplished. They are senators, doctors and coaches. The possibilities seem to be endless. Lastly, West Point officers go on to lead one of the best fighting forces in the world – the U.S. Army.”
When asked if he had applied to any of the other military academies, Tsai replied, “No, I did not have an interest in flying or sailing.”
Tsai is expected to be on campus in late June, but like most appointments these days, it’s currently up in the air. Whenever he arrives on the banks of the Hudson, he’ll be prepared for the task at hand.
“I am honored to join San Marino’s rich military history,” Tsai said. “It is no miracle that San Marino has had so many of its citizens join the military. This city has been so incredibly supportive of the military community. San Marino has always displayed great patriotism with its July 4 celebration, Flag Day at our local elementary schools, Memorial Day and many other events.”
Tsai to Join Long Gray Line
