MATTAWA - Randy Foristiere, who attended Mattawa High School last year, has been fully accepted into the Military Academy at West Point.

His official acceptance was announced Saturday at Acceptance Day. The acceptance came after Foristiere completed all the physical training and passed the PT exam.

Foristiere received his acceptance in front of an audience that included his mother, Cielo Foristiere. His father, Mike Foristiere, was unable to attend because work commitments.

Cadet Foristiere was appointed to the academy in May. He started basic training on June 29. That includes the toughest physical training imaginable - Beast Training.

Beast Training demands 16 hours a day, seven days a week for 46 days. Ten hopefuls bowed out the first day, 30 over the entire period. Up to 70 are on the bubble as they start preparing for second-chance exams.