Alejandro Pickart, son of Blairstown native Col. Damien Pickart, received and accepted an appointment to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy on March 31.

While at the Academy, Alejandro aims earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and compete for a pilot slot before earning a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 2024.

The son of Damien and Vanessa Pickart, Alejandro was born in New Mexico and has since lived in Nebraska, Idaho, California, Virginia and Hawaii, prior to moving to Prattville, Alabama, in July 2018 following his father’s selection to attend the U.S. Air Force Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base.

During his two years at Prattville High School, he earned a 4.14 GPA, served as the mellophone section lead in the school’s marching band, and was a flight commander in the Air Force Junior ROTC program. A gifted musician, Alejandro was personally recognized while performing with the Hawaii All State Marching Band during the January 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

He was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in 2018, and earned his student pilots license in 2019. Prior to reporting to the academy on June 25, Alejandro hopes to visit with family and loved ones in the Benton County area, including his grandfather Gerald Pickart of Marengo, and grandmother Marchell Kahle of Blairstown.