PHS Senior Ehrenberg Heading to Air Force Academy

Soon after graduation Kenneth Ehrenberg will trade in his civillian clothes for military uniform.

The Paramus High School senior is headed to the Air Force Academy. He is the first Spartan to make it into one of the academies in a number of years, says Principal Anthony Panico.

"Not a lot of high school age students are ready to make that kind of commitment to their country at 18 years of age," said Panico. "He understands it and he embraces it and he’s going to make a great officer."

Ehrenberg had to go through an extensive application process to make it into the program. It's a nine year commitment, 4 years of study, and 5 years of active tour duty, says Panico.

The soon-to-be-graduate says he has always been interested in attending one of the academies. "Always seemed like the kind of environment I'd be happy with," says Ehrenberg.

He's always been fascinated by mathematics and engineering.  As a youngster he'd break apart calculators to try to figure out what made them work. He hopes to major in aerospace engineering.

"I like finding out how things work so the engineering thing really works well for me," said Ehrenberg.

Ehrenberg played many sports while in high school and most recently ran cross country. This past winter he was captain of the swim team which was ranked number 5 in the county. "It was a lot of fun," he says.

He's a good endurance athlete and hopes to be a tri-athlete in college participating in running, swimming and biking.

Young Ehrenberg is no stranger at all to hard work. He's been volunteering as a firefighter since he was 16 and has taken part in major events helping with efforts after Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy going from call to call and even sleeping at the fire house.

"Four years from now when he graduates, I'll be there," Panico promises. He says he's attended the graduation of each one of his students who ever went on to the academies. Ehrenberg is the first of his students to attend the Air Force Academy.

"I'm really proud of this kid," says Panico.

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