Wahluke football star West Point bound

MATTAWA - Randy Foristiere, who starred in football during his brief stay at Wahluke High School last fall and winter, has been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

This is a dream come true for the senior who will soon graduate from Capitol High School in the Boise, Idaho. He's been wanting a military life since he was kid.

"He probably knew more about the Revolutionary War and Civil War than most adults when he was in grade school," said his father, Mike Foristiere, the Wahluke football coach. "He was always reading about the military."

Foristiere was nominated for the Academy by both senators and one congressman from Idaho. He received his letter of appointment on March 25.

The process toward the nomination started while Foristiere was a junior at Capitol. His mother, Cielo Foristiere, managed most of it while her son was at Wahluke.

Foristiere came to Wahluke for one semester because he wanted to play football for his father, who took over at Wahluke last fall.

"He came here to be with me and be with us," the coach said.

Randy Foristiere, 5-11, 195, helped his father start his program at Wahluke from the running back position. He rushed for 1,701 yards in 216 carries and was named to the SCAC all-league first team.

Before leaving Idaho, Forstiere was informed he would remain eligible for an Idaho slot at the Academy if came to Idaho to graduate. He was elated when he received his notice.

"It's an honorable thing to do," he said. "I've wanted to be a Cadet since I was in eighth grade."

Cadet student, not footballer, that is. Foristiere considers a West Point education to be "prestigious," and he plans to concentrate on that.

"I don't think I'll be able to participate in football. We didn't even talk about that," he said.

After four years of college at West Point, Foristiere will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the military. He is committed to giving Uncle Sam five years.

Foristiere will arrive at West Point on June 29 for Reception Day. He will start Cadet basic training at that time.

Admission Day will be in late August, and Foristiere's college and military education will get under way.

Although Foristiere was appointed by the state of Idaho, he will carry fond memories of Wahluke and Mattawa with him. Things happened he hoped for but didn't necessarily expect in his adopted home town.

"It was probably the best experience of my life," he said. "I made some really nice friends."

Mike and Cielo are somewhat nervous about their son committing himself to a life that will always pose risks in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. But they are proud of him too.

"This is what he has always wanted to do," Mike said. "He's really a proud American."

Although Randy was at Wahluke only a brief time, Principal Jeff Pietila said the students and staff consider him one of their own. He has been invited to the graduation, not to march with the class of 2015 but to be recognized for this accomplishment.

"He was a positive member of our school community," Pietla said. "He made friends easily, and he's got a great future ahead."