Green Bay Reporter

The Unified School District of De Pere has announced that senior Aaron Broadrick has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The announcement was made in a press release on March 13, 2025.

Broadrick, a senior at De Pere High School, received the news of his nomination while traveling with the Mock Trial team to a state competition in Madison. He was informed by U.S. Representative Tony Wied about his nomination to the academy by Wied and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson. According to the news release, attending the academy requires a commitment to serve in the military for at least five years upon graduation, with nominations available from members of Congress for four of the five service academies.

Broadrick credits several teachers at De Pere High School and guidance counselor Marcy Becker for their support in preparing his successful application. He also expressed gratitude towards Wied, Senator Johnson, and others who assisted with his interviews and essay preparations. Broadrick is scheduled to begin Basic Cadet Training on June 25 but plans to arrive early to adjust to the altitude in Colorado Springs.

"When I was in elementary school and first saw the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the National Guard at Milwaukee’s Mitchell International Airport, I immediately knew I wanted to be involved in operations like that," said Broadrick, according to the release. "I set a goal of going to the Air Force Academy five years ago when we drove past the academy on a family road trip, and I have worked on becoming qualified since then."

The Unified School District of De Pere serves approximately 4,300 students from diverse backgrounds across De Pere and surrounding areas, including parts of six towns and students from neighboring districts. The district emphasizes preparing students for success by offering a comprehensive curriculum and a range of exploratory options. With a focus on individualized instruction, it aims to meet students' unique educational needs and equip them to be active, contributing members of a global society.